Kazan (Russia): Cristiano Ronaldo will put speculation over his club future firmly to one side as he leads European champions Portugal into their Confederations Cup campaign here with a game against Mexico late Sunday evening.
The 32-year-old Real Madrid superstar’s build-up to the tournament in Russia has been overshadowed after he was this week accused by prosecutors in Spain of defrauding the authorities of 14.7 million euros in tax through offshore companies.
But for the next two weeks the main thing on the mind of the reigning Ballon d’Or holder is winning more silverware in the eight-nation World Cup warm-up event.
“He takes this tournament very seriously and is focused,” said Ronaldo’s teammate Andre Silva, the striker who has just joined AC Milan from Porto.
“It would be a beautiful thing to have on my CV. Of course it would be a dream to win it (title),” Ronaldo had said a few days back.
It has been a dream last 12 months on the field for the former Manchester United man, who was a European champion at club and international level in 2016. More glory here in Russia will end any doubt about him winning a fifth Ballon d’Or.
“We don’t have words to describe what he represents for our country. He is an idol, even for us players,” admitted
veteran defender Bruno Alves, the 35-year-old who has just signed for Scottish club Rangers.
Portugal’s triumph at Euro 2016 secured them a place in Russia, where they will be making their Confederations Cup debut against CONCACAF Gold Cup winners Mexico in Group A before facing the hosts and New Zealand. Ronaldo has scored 12 goals in six international outings for Portugal, since coming off injured in the Euro final. The game against Mexico will be his 140th for the country.
