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Manchester City defender Rúben Dias is not convinced the 2026 World Cup will mark the end for veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, reigning champion Lionel Messi, 38, and Luka Modric, 40.
The Portuguese central defender spoke of his team’s immense motivation to win the only major trophy that their iconic captain failed to achieve.
Additional motivation for Portugal
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated tournament, the Portugal international addressed the increasingly widespread narrative that this summer’s show will serve as the final global showcase for several era-defining superstars.
In a recent interview with Portuguese media outlet A Bola, the centre-back was asked about the possibility of this being the ultimate swan song for Argentina’s Messi, Croatia’s Modric and his own national team captain Ronaldo.
The World Cup notably remains the only major title that the legendary striker has failed to win.
Shrugging off the certainty of their impending international retirement with a simple “Let’s see…”, Dias explained what it would mean to win the elusive trophy. “It’s an added motivator,” he said of their historic quest.
Win for Ronaldo
For a nation that regularly produces top-tier talent, winning football’s most prestigious prize remains its ultimate ambition. Dias insists the team does not feel weighed down by the expectations placed on them to present the trophy to their talismanic striker.
Instead, they see it as a collective mission to dethrone Messi and Argentina.
Detailing the team’s state of mind, the defender said: “It would be a pleasure for all of us to be able to offer this moment to him, to ourselves, to all of Portugal, to our families. This does not represent additional pressure, it represents, yes, an even more special desire to be part of [the World Cup] and get there to win.”
The legacy of the legendary trio
The world stage will once again be honored by three notable personalities who between them share an incredible number of 14 Ballons d’Or.
Inter Miami star Messi owns a record eight Golden Balls alongside his 2022 World Cup triumph, two Copa America titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns.
Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo, who holds five Ballon d’Or awards, has conquered Europe with five Champions League victories and a historic win at Euro 2016, winning the league titles of England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Modric, now with Milan, broke their duopoly in 2018 to win his solitary Ballon d’Or, complementing his remarkable six Champions League medals won during his glittering spell at Madrid.
Group stage battles await you
The three veterans will face group stage campaigns which begin on June 17.
Argentina, the defending champion, will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Modric’s Croatia faces England, Panama and Ghana.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s journey begins against DR Congo, before facing Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 27.
The heavyweights must get through these tough early matches to keep their ultimate championship dreams alive.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
