Cristiano Ronaldo said ahead of the game that Portugal’s World Cup play-off against North Macedonia on Tuesday is a “matter of life and death.”
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping to qualify for a fifth World Cup with Portugal and win the trophy for the first time at the age of 37.
The winner of the Porto match will advance to this year’s finals in Qatar.
“This game is a matter of life and death for us; we are aware of its significance, and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the fans to give us incredible support tomorrow.”
Portugal would have been expected to face Italy in the play-off final, but the European champions were stunned 1-0 at home by North Macedonia last week.
Earlier in the qualifying campaign, Macedonia won a surprise away victory over Germany.
“I feel all the players are ready,” Ronaldo said at a press conference on Monday.
“We’re playing North Macedonia, and everyone thinks it’ll be an easy opponent,” Ronaldo admitted.
“From my perspective, it’s going to be an extremely difficult game because the Macedonians are here because they deserve to be.”
North Macedonia is a well-organized team, but when Portugal is at its best, it can beat any team in the world.”
Ronaldo, the all-time leading international goalscorer, will be 41 by the time the 2026 World Cup takes place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
However, the Portugal captain refused to say whether Qatar would be his final chance to play in football’s pinnacle event.
“I am the one who will decide my future,” he stated.
If I want to play more, I do so; if I don’t, I don’t. Period.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos has previously stated that he will resign if his team fails to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
“If we think, theoretically, the Macedonians are weaker, we’re on the wrong track; it’s the worst-case scenario,” said the 67-year-old, who has led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory.
“We have to deal with North Macedonia as we would have dealt with Italy.”
