Former French player Frank Leboeuf wants Cristiano Ronaldo to win the 2026 World Cup, calling it the missing prize in the star’s great career. The 1998 World Cup winner thinks the next tournament is a great chance for Ronaldo to match his rival Messi’s 2022 win.
The Final Frontier
At 39 years old, Ronaldo continues to defy expectations with consistent performances for Al-Nassr and Portugal’s national team. He has already won almost every big trophy in football, including the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League. However the World Cup is the one prize he has not won in his great career.
Leboeuf acknowledged the significance of this missing accolade in the ongoing debate surrounding football’s greatest players. “The World Cup makes all the difference,” the former Chelsea defender stated. “Messi had his moment in 2022. I genuinely hope 2026 belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Portugal’s Promising Position
The French legend pointed to Portugal’s current squad depth as reason for optimism. The Portuguese team combines new talent with experienced players, so it has the quality to compete in June 2026.
However, Leboeuf also questioned Ronaldo’s team role after manager Roberto Martinez benched him for some Euro 2024 matches.
The Age Question
By the time the 2026 World Cup begins, Ronaldo will be 41 years old—an age when most players have long since retired. The demanding schedule of tournament football, with matches every three days, presents significant physical challenges.
“It’s a tough ask,” Leboeuf admitted. “But I believe he can maintain his fitness and form. If Portugal are to win the World Cup, they’ll need him on the pitch. It would be a remarkable achievement at his age.”
His comments show people care about Ronaldo’s career and hope he gets a perfect ending by winning all the top awards. We don’t know if Portugal will win. However, many fans agree with Leboeuf and think a World Cup victory would be the right ending for one of sport’s greatest careers.
