“For us, this is a game of our life. I want to thank the Portuguese for the unconditional support they gave throughout the game against Turkey. What I ask is that it be the same or even more, starting with the anthem. I would like the anthem to start, then stop and continue singing”, said Cristiano Ronaldo.
At 37 years of age, the captain of the national team could be considering Qatar 2022 as the last World Cup of his career.
“Who will decide my future is me, nobody else. If I feel like playing, I play. If I don’t feel like it, I don’t play. I’m in charge, period,” he clarified.
Cristiano Ronaldo urges Portugal fans to ‘let all hell break loose’ ahead of huge World Cup play off finalhttps://t.co/3SFEXMNhFp pic.twitter.com/W8W8uk1eO8
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) March 28, 2022
Regarding the physical and mental state of the team, the experienced Portuguese player, who has an impressive record of 115 goals and 185 games for Portugal, ensures that everyone is “very confident and prepared”.
Central defender Pepe has recovered from Covid-19 and will most likely be one of the starters on Tuesday along with Ronaldo.
“Pepe is part of the furniture, he has to be always present in the national team. I’m his friend, we have a very close relationship. We’ve been at Sporting for 20 years. I like it when he’s around and, as one of the captains, everyone respects him, everyone knows his importance.
The group is not made up of 20, it’s 50. It’s a family, everyone rows in the same direction and no one is more important than anyone else. We really want to take Portugal to the World Cup”, he concluded.
The match between Portugal and North Macedonia will take place on 29 March, at Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, from 19:45.
