Cristiano Ronaldo Is in ‘Spectacular’ Form, Says Portugal’s Neves

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
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Cristiano Ronaldo Is in ‘Spectacular’ Form, Says Portugal’s Neves

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal team mate Ruben Neves says his captain is in "spectacular" shape as the team prepare for their opening World Cup match against Ghana on Thursday. 

Wolves midfielder Neves, one the leaders of the changing room, dismissed any speculation that 37-year-old Ronaldo was not in peak form, saying he looked like his old self in training. 

"From what I've seen in training, he's in spectacular shape," Neves told a news conference in tournament host Qatar on Sunday. "He doesn't worry us at all, we as a team know perfectly well what we need to work on so that each individual stands out on gameday." 

"If we're good as a team, Cristiano will be phenomenal." 

Neves also said Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive TV interview, in which the Manchester United forward said he had been betrayed by the club and was being forced out, had not been a distraction in the Portugal changing room. 

He said the furor had nothing to do with the national squad. 

"Sure, it's impossible for us to walk around without been asked about the controversy, but I don't think there's any controversy at all between us in the changing room," added 25-year-old Neves. "We have a spectacular environment right here." 

After missing Thursday's friendly against Nigeria in Lisbon due to a stomach problem, Ronaldo trained normally on Saturday, smiling and joking with his team mates. 

Portugal are in World Cup Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. 



Ivanov Beats American Qualifier Karki to Win Wimbledon Juniors Title

Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria returns to Ronit Karki of the US in the boys' singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria returns to Ronit Karki of the US in the boys' singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
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Ivanov Beats American Qualifier Karki to Win Wimbledon Juniors Title

Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria returns to Ronit Karki of the US in the boys' singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria returns to Ronit Karki of the US in the boys' singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria won his first Grand Slam title by beating Ronit Karki of the United States 6-2, 6-3 in the Wimbledon juniors final on Sunday.

The 16-year-old Ivanov became the second Bulgarian to win the title after Gregor Dimitrov in 2008.

He never faced a break point against Karki and finished with 22 winners, compared to six for his opponent.

Karki was trying to become the first qualifier to win the title since Noah Rubin in 2014.