- Cristiano Ronaldo is about to trample on US land for the first time in over a decade for a friendly match
- Ronaldo and Portugal are expected to play with the United States in a friendly match in March, several months before the World Cup
- The Al-Nassr star has not been photographed in the United States since 2014 when he played for Real Madrid against Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo And the Portuguese national team is expected to face the United States in a friendly match in March 2026, as Ronaldo’s first visit to the country since 2014.
Source: Getty Images
Ronaldo and Portugal are more likely to take part in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico will host.
The veteran of Al-Nassr He will be 41 years old during the tournament and is determined to raise an unprecedented World Cup.
Will Portugal play with the United States?
According to The Athletic, the Men’s national team is in talks with Portugal to arrange a friendly match in March 2026.
The United States, which is preceded by the World Cup, plans to play Portugal and Belgium, though the positions are not yet open.
Their coach, Mauricio Pochettino, is working to make his team face opponents from different federations to test them before the World Cup.
They lost to South Korea last weekend and will face Japan on Wednesday morning. In addition, they have organized friendly matches against Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay in October and November.
“Overall, I think we were better than South Korea, but then if you do not have a clinic in your area, and in a separate box, it is difficult,” Pochettino told a press conference after their loss of South Korea. “Because we create more space, we have the feeling that we control the game.”
Source: Getty Images
Why didn’t Ronaldo visit the USA?
Ronaldo last arrived in the United States on August 2, 2014, when he served on Real Madrid against Manchester United in front of a crowd of 109,318 people at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Earlier, he played for Portugal in a friendly match against the Irish Republic at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey.
It has been reported that the reason for Ronaldo to avoid visiting the United States was for alleged sexual assault.
The attack, reported by the German newspaper Der Spiegel via The Athletic, started on a 2009 holiday in Las Vegas, involving Ronaldo and model Kathryn Mayorga.
However, no charges were filed, and Ronaldo has vehemently denied the allegations. Since the allegations, Ronaldo has never been photographed in the United States.
Has not played a friendly match Real MadridManchester United, Juventus or Al-Nassr. In 2022, he was associated with moving to MLS.
Will Ronaldo play on the bench at the World Cup?
Earlier this year, Ronaldo said he was ready to be a bench player meaning they would win the cup.
“If I don’t score and someone else scores, it’s okay for me. If Portugal is forced to win and I don’t play, I will sign my name right now, tell the coach and I will not play.
Since Portugal won the UEFA 2016, they have struggled to do well in the 2021 and 2024 versions, but they recently won their second UEFA Nations League title.
In the World Cup, Portugal failed in 2018 and 2022, but is now considered one of the most popular for the 2026 version.
Will Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?
In an related story, we reported that Messi considered the possibility of playing for the 2026 World Cup.
The veteran star chose not to make a decision on his participation, saying that he would allow his body to order his choice.
The star of Barcelona He led Argentina and won the 2022 World Cup and will be 39 during the 2026 tournament.
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