Ronaldo ‘very positive’ about Portugal’s World Cup journey

He said on Friday he was feeling “very positive” before leaving Lisbon for the World Cup base camp in Palm Beach, Florida, with the Portugal team.

“We are going into this tournament with a lot of hope,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The experienced Portugal captain added, “The preparation has been very good. But it’s quite tiring, because we’ve worked hard.” He also said he was “physically good.”

“I’m very positive. I believe everything will go well and we will perform well.”

The forward said of the team’s current squad, “This is a very good generation… which will bring a lot of joy to the people of Portugal.”

He added, “The most important thing is to start well with the first match. Then move on to the second and third matches… finish at the top of the group and from there just think about one match at a time.”

Portugal will begin their World Cup campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston on June 17. Their other two opponents in Group K are Uzbekistan and Colombia.

At 41, Ronaldo is heading towards a record sixth World Cup, but there is talk in some quarters that his presence could hamper the natural play of Roberto Martinez’s strong team.

Portugal recently played two friendlies against Chile and Nigeria, winning both 2-1, but Ronaldo failed to score.
Portugal previously finished third in the 1966 World Cup and reached the quarter-finals four years ago in Qatar.