Frank Leboeuf wishes to see Cristiano Ronaldo lift FIFA World Cup trophy

Frank Leboeuf, France’s World Cup-winning centre-back, has said that he wishes to see Cristiano Ronaldo lift the FIFA World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium in the United States.

Ronaldo, who is playing in the Saudi Pro League at 40, has scored more than 950 goals and is expected to captain Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which he has confirmed will be his last.

The legend started his career with Portugal at 18 in 2003, and since then, he has been an integral part of the team.

Ronaldo recently helped Portugal win their second UEFA Nations League trophy in June, making them the country with the most silverware at the competition.

However, Cristiano has not won a World Cup yet after five appearances in the competition.

Portugal was knocked out by Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2022 event in Qatar, where Ronaldo’s arch-rival Lionel Messi of Argentina went on to win the World Cup, defeating France in the final.

Leboeuf said that, as the 2022 World Cup was dedicated to Messi, he hopes the 2026 World Cup will be dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo.

“It was like in 2022 the World Cup was dedicated to Messi," Leboeuf told GOAL.

"I really hope that 2026 will be dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo. That would be fantastic for him to get a World Cup, and for Portugal. Portugal have a hell of a team, so it’s possible.”

He added that Ronaldo’s fans hammer him because he criticises the Portuguese forward, but he says one thing to them: that he has won a World Cup.

“Those players already achieved big titles, but it’s true that a World Cup makes a difference. I have sometimes criticised Ronaldo for what he has done, and I have been hammered by his fans. Some people say: ‘What have you achieved in your life?’ I say: ‘I won the World Cup; he didn’t’. It’s the easy answer!" he added.

Before Ronaldo’s debut, Portugal was without a major trophy, but after he arrived at the team, they have won the European Championship once and the Nations League twice.