“The dream is to win the World Cup” – Bruno Fernandes

Portugal’s star midfielder Bruno Fernandes has made no secret of the national team’s ambitions ahead of its World Cup campaign, declaring that the ultimate goal is to bring football’s biggest prize home for the first time.

Speaking to FIFA ahead of Portugal’s opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston on Wednesday, the Manchester United player said the squad believes it has what it takes to challenge for the trophy.

“The dream is to be world champions,” Fernandes said.

“The important thing is that we focus on what we can do to change the fact that Portugal has never won it and bring the much-desired World Cup home for the first time.”

The 31-year-old said the confidence shown by Portuguese supporters has helped fuel the team’s belief as it prepares for another attempt to win the sport’s most coveted title.

“They have total confidence in us and believe we have the quality to be the best team in the world, reach the World Cup final and become champions,” he said.

“We have to take the positive side of that and channel all that energy. Our people are behind us and genuinely believe in the national team.”

Portugal heads into the tournament on the back of last year’s UEFA Nations League triumph, in which Roberto Martínez’s side defeated both Germany and Spain on its way to lifting the trophy.

For Fernandes, those results have reinforced the squad’s conviction that it can compete with the world’s elite.

“We’re confident,” he said. “It demonstrates confidence in our quality and in the calibre of players representing Portugal right now. We know we’re a very strong group. We genuinely believe we can have a great World Cup.”

The midfielder also pointed to the quality throughout the squad, highlighting the performances of players such as Nuno Mendes, João Neves and Vitinha, who have enjoyed success with Paris Saint-Germain.

“It gives me confidence to look around and see an incredible team willing to do whatever it takes at any moment,” Fernandes said. “But it’s not about helping me. It’s about helping everyone achieve our final objective.”

While Portugal’s immediate focus is on its first Group K opponents, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fernandes acknowledged that Colombia could prove one of the toughest tests of the opening phase.

“Colombia are obviously very strong,” he said. “We know the problems they can cause because they have excellent players. More and more Colombians are competing in the best leagues in the world, and there won’t be any easy games at the World Cup, regardless of who we face.”

Fernandes also reserved special praise for captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 41 is leading Portugal into what he has confirmed will be his final World Cup campaign.

“It is a huge privilege for us to have Cristiano as a compatriot, a teammate and a player who can bring us closer to winning the World Cup,” he said.

The midfielder described Ronaldo as a constant source of inspiration, citing his longevity, mentality and relentless pursuit of success.

“We can always learn from him,” Fernandes said. “He has shown resilience throughout his career, has a winning mentality, is never satisfied with what he has achieved and always wants more.”

Those qualities, he added, continue to influence younger players within the squad.

“The fact that he has played at the highest level for 20 years shows that everything he has done was necessary to remain at that level for so long,” Fernandes said.

“Above all, I hope he can do it again at the World Cup, helping us as he always has, scoring goals and bringing us closer to our objective.”

Read The Resident’s guide to the World Cup to follow every match.