As the great Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for what will surely be his final World Cup, the Manchester United forward is 12/1 to win the Golden Boot in Qatar.
Portugal are potential dark horses at 12/1 to win the 2022 World Cup this winter and with Ronaldo in their ranks anything is possible.
The 37-year-old might well feel like he has a point to prove in Qatar over the coming weeks after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford under United boss Erik ten Hag.
There’s plenty of speculation regarding Ronaldo’s future with the Red Devils and, if he is to leave in the January transfer window, then the World Cup offers the perfect stage to show potential suitors what he can still do.
Ronaldo was the joint leading goalscorer at the European Championship’s last summer, scoring five times along with the Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick.
Despite being United’s leading goalscorer last season and impressing at Euro 2020, Ronaldo has been forced to settle for a place on the bench in many games for United this season.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus forward might well welcome the distraction of the World Cup in Qatar, where undoubtedly he will be the main man for his country.
Portugal get their World Cup campaign up and running in Doha on November 24, as they face Ghana at Stadium 974.
Ronaldo’s side are 4/9 to win, 16/5 to draw and 7/1 to lose against the Ghanians.
The Portuguese next face Uruguay in Lusail on November 28, before completing the group stage with a clash against South Korea at the Education Stadium on December 2.
Head coach Fernando Santos will know his side will have to hit the ground running if they are to secure qualification to the knockout stages.
Santos will be looking to Ronaldo to lead from the front and continue the form that has seen him score a remarkable 117 goals for his country in 191 games.
Ronaldo has a decent record in World Cups too, having scored seven goals in 17 appearances at the major tournament.
The forward, who made his international debut at just 18 years old, also has the experience of leading his country to a major title, after winning the European Championship back in 2016.
A potential lack of match sharpness could possibly be an issue for Ronaldo going into this World Cup, having been so used to playing regularly previously.
In one of the tougher groups, Ronaldo will also have to hit the ground running in order to help his side finish top of Group H, in which they are 8/13 to do so.
One of the game’s best players looks set to embark on his final World Cup and Ronaldo should not be discounted in the Golden Boot market.
