I’m no miracle worker - warns Ronaldo

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo warned on Friday that he was not a miracle worker and that it would take more than two or three good players to make his team one of the favourites for the World Cup.

“It’s not enough to have just two or three players,” he said.

“For a team to win the World Cup you must not necessarily have 11 (good players) but seven or eight of a very good standard.

“That’s how you win the World Cup,” added Ronaldo after touching down by helicopter to join his team-mates at a training camp in the central Portuguese city of Covilha ahead of the June 11-July 11 World Cup finals in South Africa.

“I do not play alone and I do not perform miracles,” warned the Real Madrid forward.

“If I and the team perform well, I think we can go as far as is possible. The squad has a great team spirit.” Ronaldo added: “No, (Portugal) are not among the favourites. Other teams also want to win. Portugal has never won such a big tournament as this.”

However, the former Manchester United star claimed that the current Portugal squad was “better” that the one that finished fourth at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

“We might not have as much experience but individually we can be better,” he said. “But the most important thing is the group’s togetherness, that the team works well. “I will try to do my best, as I always do, be it for my club or country. I will be motivated.” Portugal are up against Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea in Group G, kicking off against the west Africans on June 15 in Port Elizabeth.

LISBON, Monday, AFP