Ramos backs Ronaldo for 2026 World Cup, urges patience for his chance
Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos, expected to back up Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, discussed his role on the watch.tm podcast with PSG teammate Nuno Mendes. He stated he would prefer to start but emphasized waiting for his opportunity when teammates perform well, saying: 'Naturally, I would prefer to be a starter. However, when you observe the players performing well, you must consider: 'Alright, they're excelling… just wait for your opportunity.'' Ramos made 45 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025-26 season with 15 starts, scoring 12 goals and two assists. Internationally for Portugal, he has 10 goals and three assists in 25 appearances, with only 10 starts. He previously made history at the 2022 World Cup by scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in a 6-1 win over Switzerland after coming off the bench. As Ronaldo holds the record for most international appearances (228) and goals (143), all focus remains on the captain ahead of the tournament. This dynamic highlights a common challenge in competitive sports: maintaining readiness while waiting for a break, relevant to Nigerian athletes navigating local leagues or overseas opportunities where established stars often dominate starting spots. When waiting for your opportunity, do you focus on sharpening your skills or measure yourself against those currently starting?