Portugal prepares for Croatia clash as Ronaldo cal...

By Ishaan Kapoor — 2 July 2026 — 3 min read

Portugal is set to face Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, with a spot in the pre-quarterfinals on the line. Ahead of this crucial match, Cristiano Ronaldo has urged fans to create a supportive atmosphere, akin to playing at home. Ronaldo conveyed this message on Instagram, sharing a picture with a holding hands emoji and the Portuguese flag, accompanied by the phrase, “Facam-nos sentir em casa,” which translates to “make us feel at home.”

The fixture holds additional emotional weight for Portugal, as it coincides with the first death anniversary of former striker Diogo Jota, who passed away last year in a road accident in Spain.

Ronaldo’s World Cup Milestones and Form

Ronaldo, at 41 years old, has continued to achieve significant milestones in the tournament. He made his 25th FIFA World Cup appearance during the group stage, equalling German legend Lothar Matthaus for the second-most appearances in the history of the competition. Only Lionel Messi has more World Cup appearances, with 29.

His performance has been pivotal for Portugal. Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal‘s decisive victory over Uzbekistan, securing their first win of the tournament. This brace also established him as Portugal‘s all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history, with 10 goals, surpassing the previous record held by Eusebio.

Portugal entered the tournament under some pressure after drawing their opening game against DR Congo. However, their convincing win against Uzbekistan helped to revitalise their campaign and boost confidence as they head into the knockout stage against Croatia.

Modric and Ronaldo: A Shared History

The upcoming match will also see the reunion of Ronaldo and Luka Modric, two prominent figures in 21st-century football. Modric, aged 40, will be making his 202nd appearance for Croatia, while Ronaldo will be making his 232nd appearance for Portugal. This encounter could potentially be the final time these two players share a pitch in their careers, which have been intertwined both as opponents and teammates.

Their commitment to international football is notable. Ronaldo had earned 29 caps when Modric debuted for Croatia. Despite more than 20 years passing, the gap in their international appearances has only widened by one, indicating their consistent presence for their respective national teams.

Their paths first crossed during the 2008-09 season. Both Modric and Ronaldo played the entire Carling Cup final that season, a match where Manchester United defeated Tottenham on penalties. They later met again in the quarter-finals of the 2010-11 Champions League after Ronaldo had moved to Spain.

During the six seasons they both represented Real Madrid, the club frequently prevailed in their encounters. Together, they secured the Champions League title four times and reached the semi-finals in the other two campaigns. A memorable moment from their time together was in the 2017 Champions League final when Modric set up Ronaldo to score Real Madrid‘s third goal against Juventus, making the score 3-1. This was one of 222 matches in which they shared the pitch, making Modric the central midfielder with whom Ronaldo has played the most times.

The upcoming match in Toronto will mark the fifth international meeting between Ronaldo and Modric. Portugal has won the previous four international encounters. Regardless of the outcome, this match is expected to be remembered more significantly than some international friendlies from 2006.

Croatia's Luka Modric (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal — Modric, 40, and Ronaldo, 41, will make their 202nd and 232nd appearances respectively for their countries when Croatia face Portugal.Composite: Guardian Design; Zuma Press/Shutterstock; Getty Images Credit: theguardian.com

Looking Ahead to the Knockout Stage

With the knockout stage underway, Ronaldo and his teammates are focused on continuing their pursuit of World Cup glory. The match against Croatia represents a critical step in their tournament journey, following their improved performance after the initial draw.

The call for fan support from Ronaldo underscores the importance of the upcoming fixture as Portugal aims to advance further in the competition. The team’s recent win against Uzbekistan has provided a boost in confidence, setting the stage for a challenging encounter against a Croatia side led by Luka Modric.

The FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Croatia is scheduled for Friday.

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