Marca: Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t need to prove anything in the World Cup. He is already a legend, but if he wins, he will be unmatched.

In the preview of the second part of Morgan's exclusive interview with Ronaldo, Morgan and Ronaldo talked about the World Cup. Ronaldo said "winning the World Cup is not my dream."

Related reading: Cristiano Ronaldo: The World Cup is not my dream. Will it take 7 games to define one of the best in history? Is this fair?

"Marca" wrote an article with the title "Does Cristiano Ronaldo need a World Cup to be regarded as one of the best in football history?" The content of the article is as follows:

At the age of 40, Cristiano Ronaldo's legendary career is only missing the last piece of the puzzle, and Messi has already bagged it: that is to win the Hercules Cup with his beloved Portugal.

C Ronaldo is never afraid of challenges. After more than 20 years in football and winning 34 important championships, this Portuguese superstar defined an era of global football hegemony. He conquered the Premier League, dominated La Liga, silenced his critics in Serie A - and is still scoring goals every week in the Saudi league.

But there is only one trophy that remains out of reach: the World Cup. He has never made it to the final stage of this international event, and 2026 will be his last chance. According to expert analysis, Portugal is not the favorite to win the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

Messi's World Cup changed the direction of public opinion

Over the years, the Melo controversy has divided football into two. Until December 18, 2022 - Argentina's Messi lifted the Hercules Cup in Qatar. In an instant, thousands of fans announced the end of the debate, and some even asserted that this was the final conclusion.

C Ronaldo noticed this change. But he doesn't agree that a single tournament should carry such weight. "What does it define? Does it define me as the best in history? Winning an event - six games, seven games. Do you think that's fair?" he said in an interview with Morgan.

However, the reality is cruel: in the hearts of countless fans, Messi has the crown that Ronaldo only lacks. It is very likely that Ronaldo will never win the World Cup, which will continue to intensify controversy and become the most conspicuous blemish on his glorious resume.

The achievements of the national team are still unparalleled

C Ronaldo's national team resume is by no means mediocre: he is the national team's historical top scorer. He led Portugal to win the first international championship in team history - the 2016 European Cup. In 2019 and 2025, he led the team to win the UEFA Nations League championship twice.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 48 goals for different national teams, scoring 132 goals in 214 appearances (and counting). In fact, he is just one game shy of the most wins in national team history. Before Ronaldo's arrival, Portugal had never been among the world's top teams. And after the arrival of the Ronaldo era? Already a three-time crowned champion.

But even so, for some people, no World Cup = no GOAT (best in history). Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the few players to shine on all stages: he became the Premier League champion and achieved global breakthrough at Manchester United, he transformed into a La Liga giant and a Champions League killer at Real Madrid, he won Serie A with Juventus, and now he is the image spokesperson of the Saudi Arabian League.

Greatness goes with him—and records follow. Ronaldo is about to lead Portugal to the 2026 World Cup. This is his sixth time on the biggest stage. Then he will have his last chance to erase the only persistent doubts of his critics. What's the truth? Ronaldo's status as one of the greatest goalscorers and most successful winners in history has long been established, and he doesn't need to use the World Cup to prove anything.

But what if we can really win the cup? This will be the most perfect ending - completing the last piece of the legendary puzzle on his already legendary resume. The bottom line is: Cristiano Ronaldo is already a legend, and a World Cup trophy will make him unrivaled.