Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is set to lead Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting June 17 against DR Congo, but Frank Lebouef believes the team’s path depends on how Ronaldo handles the likelihood of not starting every match. Lebouef also said Messi’s World C
Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign begins in the middle of a familiar spotlight: Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is chasing a first World Cup title that has so far eluded him—possibly in what could be his last tournament at the finals.
The tournament, taking place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, has already begun. Several teams have yet to play their first match, including Portugal. Ronaldo’s side are scheduled to open their campaign against DR Congo on Jun. 17, 2026, aiming to make a fast start and carry that momentum through a group that also includes Uzbekistan and Colombia.
For Frank Lebouef. the main question is less about Portugal’s quality and more about the role Ronaldo may be asked to play as the tournament moves in quick rhythm. In an exclusive interview. the former Chelsea star and 1998 World Cup winner said winning the World Cup was easier for Lionel Messi because the structure around him left little room for miscommunication about what mattered most.
“[Lionel] Messi got the World Cup because every single player playing around him understood the task that they had. and worked hard for him. and did the job. From Martinez to the other Martinez. And they did what they had to do, sacrificed everything for Messi. And because Messi was still good, it worked.”.
Lebouef added that the same kind of collective buy-in would be the key for Ronaldo and Portugal to find their way to the trophy. He pointed to the midfield strength he expects to underpin the tournament run: “That will be the same for Ronaldo with Portugal. because Portugal has a hell of a team. Especially in the middle of the park for me. with [Rúben] Neves and Vitinha. but also [Nuno] Mendes on the left side. and people who can work. Bernardo Silva, of course, and so many others.”.
Then came the part he framed around age and the demands of World Cup scheduling. Lebouef said Ronaldo’s physical reality could force him to accept changes to his match involvement: “What’s gonna be the situation with Cristiano Ronaldo?. He’s 41, if I’m not mistaken. I’m not sure he can play every three days for a World Cup. So he will have to understand that he has to be on the bench sometimes. He’s not gonna start games. What will be his behavior in that situation?. If he accepts the role and does like he did during the Euro 2016 against France in the final when he got injured and was on the bench and was like the coach. If he does that, Portugal has a chance to get him the World Cup.”.
There is an obvious tension inside those remarks: Portugal’s tournament hopes are being treated as something that must accommodate Ronaldo rather than simply revolve around him. That isn’t an insult to his importance—it’s a warning about what the World Cup calendar can demand.
Lebouef’s view of Ronaldo and Messi also reached beyond tactics. When asked about the “GOAT” debate between them. the 58-year-old made his choice clear. describing a rivalry that could end with both players’ legacies sealed in the most visible way. “And at the end of the day, it would be very nice. You know, after Messi, then you have Ronaldo getting the World Cup. That would be symbolic and very nice ending to the rivalry that they have because nobody can say. That’s stupid to say Messi is a GOAT, Ronaldo is a GOAT.”.
He also connected that hope to the kind of World Cup start fans are expecting from Ronaldo. Lebouef noted that Messi began his FIFA World Cup campaign by scoring a hat-trick against Algeria, adding that the same kind of impact is what supporters associate with “CR7” at the start of a tournament.
The interview didn’t stop there. Lebouef also credited both Messi and Ronaldo with changing the tone of the Ballon d’Or. “In the same exclusive interview with Clutchpoints. presented and arranged by World Cup Betting. the former Chelsea player explained how both Messi and Ronaldo raised the level of the Ballon d’Or.” He said. “They’re so different. They’re such different players. They didn’t, almost didn’t play the same position. They were absolutely fantastic, both of them. But to compare them, you have to thank them. You don’t have to compare them. Both of them. And, they made the Ballon d’Or very interesting.”.
His verdict carried a sharper edge: “Because before them, we didn’t care about the Ballon d’Or. They are guilty to have put that trophy, which is an individual trophy, at the top of the world. But at the same time, it’s so amazing what they were capable of doing, and the rivalry that they had.”
The same conversation shifted to France, where Lebouef balanced criticism with respect. When asked to compare the current France generation with his own era. he said the gap is too wide to make a straight match because even the refereeing environment has changed. “The thing is, it’s always difficult to compare generations because, for example, refereeing has changed. You know?. Let’s say that we play, we are all fit, which is not the case. But we all play. France ’98 and France’ 26.” He argued that in his time. referees might not have survived the tackle intensity: “If we have a referee from our time. I think they won’t last. like. 10 minutes because of tackles and everything that is a butcher.”.
On the other hand, he said the modern game would lead to instant consequences in his scenario: “On the other hand, if we play now, we’ll have like six red cards in the first five minutes. So it’s different to compare.”
Lebouef also insisted his generation’s team was more complete. even while rejecting the idea that the 2026 squad would simply be outclassed. “However. he also made sure to add that his generation’s team was more complete. and it might have been a difficult task for the 2026 squad to beat them.” He elaborated: “I think I would say that we were more complete. The ’98 team was more complete in every line. At the back, in the middle of the park, we were so strong. And because we had Zidane, Djorkaeff, Trezeguet, Thierry Henry at the front, that was efficient too. So I wouldn’t say we were better. but it would have been a very difficult task for the 2026 team to beat us.”.
All of it circles back to Portugal’s opening day—June 17. 2026. against DR Congo—where Ronaldo’s tournament role could become the most telling subplot of the group stage. Lebouef’s message is direct: Portugal’s chances improve if Ronaldo understands that the kind of schedule the World Cup forces may require him to be on the bench sometimes. just as he did when injured during Euro 2016 against France in the final and was still. in Lebouef’s words. “like the coach.”.
If Portugal can blend that acceptance with the midfield intensity Lebouef highlighted—Rúben Neves and Vitinha in the middle. Nuno Mendes on the left. and the creative engine he associated with Bernardo Silva—then Ronaldo’s pursuit of a first World Cup could remain alive beyond the opening match. The tournament’s early noise has already started across the USA. Canada. and Mexico. but for Portugal. it begins with a single game and a single test of how the team will deploy its biggest name.
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal DR Congo 2026 FIFA World Cup Frank Lebouef Roberto Martínez Rúben Neves Vitinha Nuno Mendes Bernardo Silva World Cup 2026