A quest that begins, a mourning that continues. It is in an atmosphere loaded with a poignant emotion that Portugal begins its qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, this Saturday in Yerevan. For Cristiano Ronaldo, it is the beginning of the last great adventure of his international career, in pursuit of the only trophy that is missing from his immense prize list. For the whole
Seleçãothis is the first match since the tragic disappearance of their teammate Diogo Jota.
Ronaldo and the obsession of a world crown
At 40, he won everything. Everything, except the most prestigious of the trophies. The World Cup is the last obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo, the last summit he dreams of conquering before taking his bow. As a guide and captain of this talented selection, freshly crowned in the League of Nations, he knows that this first match in Armenia is the first step on a long way. His personal story with this opponent (5 goals in 4 games) suggests that he will once again be the expected man to launch the conquest.
Ronaldo wants to transform emotion into strength for 2026
A united team in pain and memory
But beyond the sporting issue, this meeting will inevitably be marked by the memory. For the first time, Portugal will play without Diogo Jota. As a poignant tribute, his friend Rúben Neves will carry his number 21, at the request of the family of the deceased. It is therefore a team united by sorrow but determined to honor the memory of his teammate who will present himself on the lawn, adding an immense emotional charge to this meeting.
Armenia in outsider in front of a giant bereaved
Faced with this Portuguese Armada, Armenia, which stretches a new coach after a series of bad results, leaves with the status of very large outsider. If the Armenians had pushed Portugal into its entrenchments during their last confrontation at home (3-2 defeat in 2015), the walk seems far too high today. For Portugal, it will be a question of transforming emotion into strength to ideally launch its last big quest.
Armenian match and place – Portugal
The probable compos of the Armenia match – Portugal
Armenia: Cancarevic; Hovhannisyan, Mkrtchyan, Arutyunyan, Muradyan, Tiknizyan; Iwu, dashyan; Bichakhchyan, Zelarayan; BARSEGHYAN
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, dias, A. Silva, Mendes; Fernandes, R. Neves, Bernardo; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto.
