Fernandes Targets Historic Glory As Portugal Chase First World Cup Crown

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has declared that winning the FIFA World Cup remains the ultimate ambition for a generation of players determined to make history.

The Euro 2016 champions and 2025 Nations League winners begin their Group K campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Houston on Wednesday, carrying hopes of finally securing football’s biggest prize.

Portugal have reached the World Cup semi-finals twice, in 1966 and 2006, but have never lifted the trophy.

“The dream is to be world champions,” Fernandes told FIFA’s official website. “The key is to focus on what we can do to change the fact that Portugal have never won it and become the first team to bring the World Cup home.”

Head coach Roberto Martínez guided Portugal comfortably through qualification, and the squad enters the tournament ranked fifth in the world.

Fernandes believes the continued presence of veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo could prove decisive.

“It is a huge privilege to have Cristiano as a teammate,” he said. “He can help take us closer to winning the World Cup. His mentality, resilience and hunger for success are qualities we all learn from.”

At 41, Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup appearance and remains the most-capped men’s international footballer in history.

“The fact he has performed at the highest level for more than 20 years shows what is required to succeed,” Fernandes added. “I hope he can do it again here, score goals and help us achieve our objective.”

Having fallen to Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2022 tournament, Portugal believe they possess the quality and experience to mount a serious challenge for the title this time around.