After all, there is a good chance that this is going to be his last World Cup as he will be 37 by the time the World Cup in Qatar comes up.
Even now, at the age of 33, Cristiano Ronaldo is, by far, the best box-player in the world. His goals carried Real Madrid to the final of the Champions League as he was at his optimum best in the biggest club competition in the world.
He ended the season with 44 goals and only just missed out on equalling Messi’s tally of 45. Against Algeria in a friendly, the Portugal captain might not have been on the scoresheet but was the team’s playmaker and ran riot against the African side.
If he does that and also scores, Portugal could surprise a lot of people here – like they did in the Euro.