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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is set to appear in his final FIFA World Cup this week, aiming to complete his trophy cabinet next month. He has inspired a number of footballers over the years, with a few of his fans set to make their marks in North America in the next six weeks.
5 2026 FIFA World Cup Players Who Idolize Portugal Star Cristiano Ronaldo
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#5 Joao Felix
Joao Felix, who is Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate at both Portugal and Al-Nassr, is considered one of many fans of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner of his generation. The ex-Benfica star told Record in 2019 (h/t One Football):
“Cristiano is my childhood idol, he is an example in everything for me. I was still a child and he was already the best player in the world. He is unique. He is making football history. I loved it when he said I was a phenomenon.”
Felix will be keen to relish a notable 2026 World Cup campaign, potentially helping his childhood idol win his maiden World Cup trophy. His 45 goal involvements in 47 total club games led to a league title last season.
#4 Endrick
Brazil and Real Madrid teenager Endrick is likely to shine in his first World Cup this year after producing 16 goal involvements in 21 total games for Lyon last term. He is also a self-proclaimed fan of the Al-Nassr attacker.
In 2023, the 19-year-old left-footed forward told FourFourTwo:
“I just want to be Endrick and want to show people Endrick. If there’s anyone who influences me, not because of the teams he played for, the goals he scored or the titles he won, but because of the person he is, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Following in his role model’s footsteps, Endrick joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras in the summer of 2024. He has found the back of the net seven times in 40 outings across all competitions for The Meringues so far.
#3 Bukayo Saka
England and Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka admitted in an interview with GOAL in 2023 that he grew up respecting Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2025-26 Premier League winner replied when asked to name his idol:
“I love his mentality, he always wants to be the best, always working hard on and off the pitch, trying to make his body the best and when he gets on the pitch he performs with full confidence and full personality and shows why he’s one of the best players to ever play football.”
After tasting defeat in the UEFA Champions League final past month, Saka is keen to conclude his summer on an upbeat note in North America. He is expected to be one of England’s key stars in the upcoming World Cup.
#2 Erling Haaland
Norway and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is indebted to ex-Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo by his own admission. Right after making his big move to Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in the winter of 2020, Haaland claimed in an interview (h/t KickOff):
“I would love to meet him and tell him that I am a footballer thanks to him. For me, he was always a role model.”
Haaland, who has never met Ronaldo on the pitch, will most likely be Norway’s key player in his nation’s fourth-ever World Cup. He will lock horns with another famed Ronaldo fan in Group I this month: Kylian Mbappe.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
During an interaction with beIN SPORTS USA in 2018, France ace Kylian Mbappe was asked to name his footballing idol growing up. Naming Cristiano Ronaldo as a big inspiration, he replied:
“I had a lot of idols. There was Cristiano, who I loved a lot and during this period of time, we have had Cristiano and (Lionel) Messi. They are the players that I admired a lot. When you have the chance to play at the top, you need to take inspiration from the best.”
Mbappe, who is aiming to break the Portugal forward’s records at Real Madrid, has faced his idol five times so far in his career, winning just once. His triumph came in the 2024 UEFA European Championship quarter-finals.
Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee
