Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed that his career should not be judged solely on winning the World Cup. Despite Portugal's exit in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals against Morocco, Ronaldo maintains that winning the tournament is not a personal dream. He emphasises that his legacy is not dependent on this achievement.
Ronaldo's impressive international record includes 143 goals, making him the top scorer in international matches. However, he has never scored in World Cup knockout rounds. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo stated, "If you ask me, Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup? No, it's not a dream. "
The football star believes that defining his career by one competition is unfair. He questions whether Lionel Messi is better
than him based on winning the World Cup. "To define if I'm one of the best of the history, to win one competition, [of] six games, seven games. You think it's fair? Is Messi better than me? I disagree," he said.
Ronaldo's achievements include five Champions League titles and five Ballon d'Or awards. Despite these accolades, he insists that winning the World Cup is not necessary to prove his greatness compared to Messi.
If Portugal qualifies for the next World Cup in North America, Ronaldo is expected to lead the team. This tournament would mark their first major event without Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident in July. Reflecting on Jota's passing, Ronaldo shared his grief: "I didn't believe when they sent me the messages. I cried a lot. "
𝗦𝗜𝗜𝗜𝗜𝗨𝗨𝗨𝘅𝟤 Cristiano Ronaldo bisa e d a vitria ao Al Nassr#FazHistriapic.twitter.com/XsehVkZZ8w
- Portugal (@selecaoportugal)November 1, 2025
The loss of Jota was deeply felt across Portugal and among teammates and friends. Ronaldo described it as "a very difficult moment for everyone. " The emotional impact highlights how personal connections influence players beyond their professional achievements.
Ronaldo's focus remains on contributing to his team's success rather than individual accolades. His perspective underscores that while trophies are significant, they do not solely define a player's legacy or worth.
