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Anisio Cabral wants to be remembered for more than a single trademark celebration. After finding the net against Belgium in the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, the young Portuguese striker sprinted toward the corner and hit Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siuuu’ celebration, a gesture honouring a player he has admired since childhood.Cabral, however, insists his inspirations extend beyond one global superstar. Portugal’s leading scorer at the tournament says he draws from multiple greats. He speaks highly of Cristiano Ronaldo’s drive and winning mindset, while also praising the flair and finishing of Brazil legend Ronaldo ‘Fenómeno,’ two figures who have shaped the way he sees the game.With six goals in five games, Cabral leads the race for the Golden Boot in the tournament, just as his idols did so often in international competitions. But among so many legends to look up to, one carries a special meaning for him. And it’s not either of the Ronaldos.Like Cabral, this former striker also has roots in Guinea-Bissau – Eder. In 2016, Eder became a national hero by scoring the only goal in the UEFA European Championship final against France that gave Portugal its first title.Years later, he ended up working alongside Cabral when he took on a management role within the national youth set-up. “Eder is a special person; I’m lucky to have met him,” gushed the young striker. “He’s been part of our coaching staff. He’s an inspiration, of course, and someone who has helped us on our journey. He’s a really good person.”That’s the path Cabral is trying to forge for the Portuguese national team. He already had a taste of it when he scored in the victory over France in the UEFA European U-17 final. Now he’s carving out his story on the global stage.“It’s very important to play for Portugal,” he said. “We’re a small nation, but we have a very big heart. It’s about continuing to make the Portuguese people proud and honouring our nation. The message is just to ‘keep going’.”Cabral has not only scored plenty of goals for Portugal, but he has also shown up during the most crucial moments of the tournament. In the opener against New Caledonia, he scored Portugal’s first two goals that turned the match around. Against Morocco and Mexico, he stepped up to extend a one-goal lead on each occasion and to settle the team’s nerves.Then in the first knockout game, against Belgium, he bagged a brace to secure Portugal’s 2–1 victory. In a side that likes to keep possession with lots of movement in midfield, the striker provides the perfect blend of explosiveness and presence in the box that Portugal will need as the challenges ahead of them grow tougher. “I’ve been playing with Anisio for a few years and I always thought he had potential,” remarked captain Rafael Quintas, his Benfica team-mate. “He’s very physical, and he knows how to use his body well. He’s lethal up front and scores for fun. That’s exactly the type of player the team needs to complement the others."“I’ve known Anisio for a long time,” added fellow striker, Stevan Manuel. “He’s a very strong centre-forward. Playing alongside him makes everything easier.”The match against Mexico also marked a special anniversary for Cabral. On November 19, 2024, he scored his first goals for Portugal’s U-17s, ending his four-match goalless run in a 4–2 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. One year to the day, he has amassed 15 goals in 19 matches under coach Bino Macaes, including the six scored in the first five matches of the U-17 World Cup.“Anisio has always had great potential. He’s having a great World Cup,” said the Portuguese coach. “He’s matured a lot since we started together in the Under-16s. He is very hungry to improve and to learn, which is crucial for a young footballer. “He’s evolving. He’s a boy who loves to listen and to learn, and that’s what is helping him to keep progressing and get stronger and stronger.”Driven by Cristiano’s mentality, Fenomeno’s playing style and the inspiration of Eder, Cabral still has a long way to go in football. However, the U-17 World Cup offers him the chance to achieve something that has never been done before: to take the title for Portugal. And just like his idols, he has the chance to write his name into the history books.“It’s an amazing feeling to be part of this World Cup,” he concluded. “We have to keep representing Portugal in the right way, respecting every opponent, but also have the confidence that we can win it. Why not?”

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo Tuesday said next year’s World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in “one or two years”.“Definitely, yes,” he told a Saudi forum by video link, when asked if 2026 would be his final World Cup. “I’m gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.”Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire “soon”.“Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years I’ll still be at the game,” he said.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.“I gave everything for football. I’ve been in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland Thursday.Last month, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history when he netted twice against Hungary to reach 41 goals, overtaking retired Guatemalan international Carlos Ruiz’s 39. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward is also the all-time leading international goalscorer with 143 strikes. During an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored last week, Ronaldo opened up further about the realities of his looming retirement.“It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I’m an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes,” he said.Ronaldo joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United for a second time in late 2022, a move that heralded a influx of late-career stars to the oil-rich kingdom.Ronaldo initially signed for 200 million euros a year, according to a source close to Al Nassr at the time, and inked a two-year contract extension in June.Last month, he was named by Bloomberg as the sport’s first billionaire, and topped the Forbes list of highest-paid footballers for the sixth time in a decade.With on-and off-field earnings of an estimated $280mn, Ronaldo will earn more than double that of second-placed rival Lionel Messi during the upcoming season, according to Forbes. Saudi Arabia, which is spending big on sports and entertainment as part of its economic diversification plan, was named as host of the 2034 World Cup last December.Ronaldo also said he knows he will go down in history as one of the best players ever.But can his son Cristiano Jr, who is following in his footsteps by playing for the Portugal Under-16 team, be a better player than his father?“As human beings, we always don’t want anybody being better than us. But I wish my kids will be better than me. I’m never going to be jealous of him,” he said.“I don’t want to add pressure to that, because what I want for him is to be happy. It doesn’t matter if you want to play football or play another sport. Be happy, be free. Don’t be with the pressure of your daddy because that is a lot.“This is a new generation, a different generation. They think different, they live different. But as a father, I’m here to help him to be whatever he wants to be. I will be his support.”