Cristiano Ronaldo issued a characteristically sharp rebuttal to questions about his physical condition on Friday, as Portugal departed Lisbon for their pre-tournament base in Palm Beach, Florida. “Physically? I’m fine – haven’t you watched my matches?” the 41-year-old forward retorted when a reporter raised the subject, a flash of irritation that immediately ricocheted across global media. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, now plying his trade at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, was addressing journalists for the first time since the squad’s preparatory camp began, and he sought to project unwavering confidence ahead of what will be his unprecedented sixth World Cup finals appearance, a milestone he shares with Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa.

Viewed from Lisbon, the mood around the seleção is one of guarded optimism. Ronaldo described the build-up as “very good, though tiring because we worked hard,” and insisted he feels “very positive” about the campaign. Yet the scepticism he confronted is not without cause. In Portugal’s final warm-up friendlies – narrow 2-1 victories over Chile and Nigeria – the captain failed to score and squandered several clear chances, prompting murmurs on social media and in European press rooms about whether his reflexes have finally dulled. From Moscow, bookmakers have seized on the narrative: one firm this week priced the probability of Ronaldo shedding tears at any point during the tournament at 73 percent, up sharply from 50 percent a week ago, while offering odds on whether he or Messi will outscore the other.

Ronaldo’s public messaging, however, was calibrated to shift focus onto the collective. “It’s a very good generation, one that will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese people,” he said, echoing sentiments carried by outlets across the Arab world and Latin America. He stressed the importance of a strong start against DR Congo in Houston on 17 June, followed by group-stage fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia, with the aim of topping the group and then advancing “match by match.” Only when the pressure intensifies, he added, “will we see the true champions.” In the United States, where the tri-nation tournament is generating enormous anticipation, the Portuguese captain’s words were read as both a rallying cry and a tacit acknowledgment that his legacy – the one major trophy still missing from his cabinet – will be defined in the knockout rounds.

Analysts in London note that Ronaldo’s defiant tone masks a deeper vulnerability. For all his bravado, the Al Nassr striker is arriving at a World Cup with his role under more scrutiny than at any point since he became a global icon. The emotional stakes are immense: a sixth tournament without a deep run would cement the narrative of unfulfilled international promise, while a triumphant campaign would reshape it entirely. As the Portuguese delegation settles into its Florida camp, the question is no longer whether Ronaldo can still command a dressing room, but whether his body and finishing instincts can withstand the crucible of a month-long tournament. The answer, as he himself suggested, will only come “at the end.”