World Cup Preview: Can Portugal win the World Cup?

Cristiano Ronaldo will like to exit the stage on a high in Qatar, will Portugal get it right at the World Cup? (Photo credit: GOAL)

The Portuguese national team is all about Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will do everything they can to help him achieve World Cup glory in Qatar.

Portugal won the 2016 European championship and went further to win the inaugural UEFA Nations League but they have been underachievers on the biggest stage and the unusual World Cup in the Middle East can prove to be their best ever.

The days of Eusebio offered heartwarming hope to the Portuguese nation but what did they win? Luis Figo’s generation huffed and puffed to no avail and even lost the European Championship final to underdogs Greece, is it time for them to rise above stereotypes and land the World Cup?

Portugal is blessed with stars that can get the job done but there are question marks around the credentials of their head coach Fernando Santos and his tactics leave too much to be desired for a team with potential game changers.

What chances do they have in Qatar?

Portugal can go all the way to win the World Cup, they have the materials to get the job done and as it stands, they can easily put a team together to compete with any nation with the players that didn’t make it to Santos’ squad.

Diogo Jota missed out due to injury, Jose Fonte was dropped and Renato Sanches didn’t make the cut; how many nations can remain solid despite having these quality men out? Cristiano Ronaldo is the man to lead them but they have strong characters in the squad.

Diogo Costa of FC Porto should get the nod in goal ahead of Rui Patricio and Jose Sa while the defense is assured with Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Ralph Guerrero, and experienced Pepe in charge; Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva are notable names in the middle of the park, any nation would envy these options.

Rafael Leao has lit up Serie A and Bruno Fernandes is amazing on his day; there won’t be any excuse for this Portuguese team when they kick off against Ghana, Korea, and Uruguay in Qatar. It is also the last realistic chance for Ronaldo to win the tournament but can Santos lead them there?