Ronaldo continues his career in Portugal in the Nations League as a new wave of Spanish talent dominates Europe

GENEVA (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has extended his record-breaking career in Portugal long enough to see a new generation of Spanish players emerge to dominate international soccer.

“If I feel like I'm not contributing anymore, I'll be the first to leave,” Ronaldo, 39, said late Monday, before national team soccer resumes in Europe this week. “(My motivation) is to get to the national team and win the Nations League.”

Portugal and Spain both play on Thursday in the opening match of a new UEFA Nations League less than two months after the European Championship final in Germany.

Although Ronaldo captained Portugal to victory in previous editions of both competitions – the 2019 Nations League and the 2016 European Championship – Spain now hold both trophies thanks to an exciting wave of talent.

Lamine Jamalthe 17-year-old Euro 2024 sensation, and 20-year-old Gavi were not yet born when Ronaldo played in his first major tournament final, the defeat to Greece at Euro 2004.

Some of the best years of Ronaldo’s career coincided with the great Spanish team that won an unprecedented three consecutive titles at the 2008 European Championship, the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2012In the last two of these tournaments, Spain eliminated Portugal in the knockout rounds.

Now Spain is back at the top ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and the sixth edition could feature a 41-year-old Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who would turn 39 during the tournament in North America – a record.

When Ronaldo was asked about his World Cup plans on Monday, he said in a translated speech: “I can't give you an answer because I don't know what will happen.”

Ronaldo was dropped from the Portuguese team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and no goal scored in five games at the 2024 European Championship. Now he is preparing for the match against Croatia on Thursday and wants to improve his record in the men's national team of 212 games and 130 goals.

“As always, I leave with a clear conscience because I know who I am,” he said. “I know what I am doing and what I will continue to do.”

The 2026 World Cup is getting closer

The Nations League is already starting with a view to the next World Cup.

The European qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup are expected to be drawn in Zurich in December. The seedings are expected to be based on the FIFA world rankings, which will be updated in November after the conclusion of the Nations League group matches.

World Cup qualifying in Europe usually begins in March, but the top teams that advance to the Nations League Final Four next June don't have a day off until September.

Participants in the Final Four must enter World Cup qualifying groups of four teams each and play a total of just six games between September and November 2025. Qualifying groups of five teams each must begin in March or June.

For UEFA members, there is a slightly different path to the 2026 World Cup, as they receive 16 places in the expanded 48-team Final tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The twelve group winners qualify directly for the World Cup. The twelve group runners-up will take part in the playoffs with 16 teams in March 2026. Four further playoff participations are based on the placement in the Nations League.

The 16 playoff teams will be drawn into four playoff groups. The four World Cup participants will be determined in individual matches in the semifinals and finals.

By giving teams the opportunity to qualify for World Cups and European Championships via the Nations League, UEFA aims to give a boost to its third-tier national team competition.

Spain is again governing predominantly

Spain was the men’s football champion at Euro 2024, the Olympic Games in Paris and the Nations League 2023.

The Nations League defence starts with two away games, on Thursday against Serbia in Belgrade and on Sunday against Switzerland in Geneva. Denmark is also in the group.

The main attraction since Euro 2024 is watching good friends Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams attacking teams from each wing.

Timeless sizes back in use

Not only the 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modricwho turns 39 on Monday, and the 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski They are not yet eliminated from international football and will face each other in the same Nations League group.

It was supposed to be Ronaldo against Modrić in Lisbon on Thursday and Modrić against Lewandowski in Osijek, Croatia on Sunday.

It is an honour and a challenge for Scotland to face the experienced trio, who up to this week have made a total of 542 appearances for the national team and scored 239 goals, six times in Group A1 between now and mid-November.

France, the team to keep an eye on

France under captain Kylian Mbappé has two outstanding games ahead of them: on Friday they host Italy in Paris and on Monday they welcome Belgium in Lyon.

Israel completes the group and will play its first two games in neutral Hungary as the conflict with Hamas continues. Israel's home game against Italy will take place on Monday in Budapest and its away game against Belgium on Friday in Debrecen.

The Belgian Football Association said in July that “no local authority in Belgium considers it possible” to host a match against Israel for security reasons.

In another top-class match, Euro 2024 semi-finalist Netherlands will host Germany next Tuesday.

Another format change

The Nations League's multi-tiered format has always been complex since its introduction in 2018 to provide teams with more competitive matches against opponents of a similar level.

The top teams in League A fight to reach the Final Four the following year and avoid relegation to League B. England, Austria and Turkey play in the second division.

Middle and lower ranked nations can move up and look for playoffs to reach a World or European Championship. This is how the Euro 2024 surprises Georgia qualifies.

New in this edition is a quarter-final round next March for eight top teams as well as promotion and relegation playoffs for 20 other teams.

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