Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has expressed concern over the threat posed by Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his age of 41. As the two teams prepare for their Round of 16 match on July 6 at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Simon emphasized the need to keep Ronaldo contained within the penalty area, highlighting his continued danger in the game.

Portugal coach Martinez stated that Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry with players like Lionel Messi motivates both athletes to maintain their peak performance, even as Ronaldo arrives late to the World Cup festivities. This ongoing competition is seen as a key factor in their enduring excellence in football.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Sweden international, commented on Paraguay's physical style of play during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against France. He noted that such a physical approach would have presented significant challenges for him if he had been playing, as France managed to narrowly defeat the determined South American team.

Ahead of Spain's match against Portugal in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forward Mikel Oyarzabal has named Lionel Messi as the best striker in the tournament. Oyarzabal, who is the captain of Real Sociedad, shared his views on the iconic Argentine playmaker during an appearance on the Spanish radio program El Partidazo.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo praised Spain's Lamine Yamal as a player with "a very bright future" during a pre-match press conference ahead of their clash in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The two teams are set to compete in the tournament, and Ronaldo's comments highlight his respect for the young talent.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the Portugal national team, has officially announced that this will be his last World Cup. He made this statement during a press conference on Sunday, prior to their last-16 match against Spain. His sister, Katia, had previously suggested that he would retire from international football following the tournament.