’We want to win it for him’: Vitinha says Portugal driven by Ronaldo, Jota at World Cup

As Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to make history with a record sixth World Cup appearance, Portugal midfielder Vitinha has revealed that the squad is driven by more than just national pride – they want to win the tournament for their captain, and for the memory of a fallen teammate.

Speaking on the eve of Portugal’s round-of-32 clash against Croatia in Toronto, Vitinha made clear the emotional fuel powering the Seleção’s campaign.

“Yes, we have many reasons to have that ambition,” the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder said. “On a personal level, we also want to win for our country. For our fans, for our families, for Diogo Jota… And also for Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Ronaldo’s Final Dance

At 41 years old, Ronaldo is set to become the first men’s player to feature in six World Cups. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner holds the men’s records for international appearances (226) and goals (143), yet the World Cup remains the only major international trophy missing from his illustrious collection.

Vitinha, 25, spoke with profound respect about sharing a dressing room with the Portuguese legend.

“He is one of the greatest players in history,” Vitinha said in a previous interview with FIFA. “I am extremely proud to share the dressing room with him, to learn from him and to witness his professionalism every day. I hope we win the World Cup with him and for him”.

The PSG midfielder highlighted Ronaldo’s unmatched work ethic as a driving force within the squad. “He leaves nothing to chance. He goes out on the pitch knowing that he is one hundred percent ready and that he has done everything he could for the team”.

A Brother Remembered

Alongside the quest to deliver Ronaldo the one trophy that has eluded him, Portugal carries another powerful motivation – the memory of Diogo Jota. The former Liverpool forward died in a car crash last July, a loss that continues to resonate deeply within the squad.

Coach Roberto Martinez named a squad of “27 players plus one” – the “plus one” being Jota. “He is our strength, our joy,” Martinez said. “Diogo Jota’s spirit, strength and example are the plus one and will always be the plus one”.

For Vitinha, who was a close friend of Jota and his brother André Silva – who also passed away – the pain remains raw. “Nobody wants to be in this kind of situation. It was a sad and tragic loss for everyone,” he told CNN Sports earlier this year. “We feel this and we want to win it, not just because it’s a World Cup and it’s everybody’s dream, but for him as well”.

One Step at a Time

Portugal enter the knockout rounds as one of the tournament favourites, having finished second in Group K with five points from one win and two draws – a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan with Ronaldo on the scoresheet, and goalless stalemates against DR Congo and Colombia.

Despite the ambition, Vitinha insisted the squad is keeping its focus narrow. “We just want to win,” he said. “We know it will be difficult, but we also know there’s no point thinking too much about the final or lifting the trophy right now. We have to take it step by step”.

For now, that means Croatia. But behind the Portuguese squad’s pursuit of glory lies a twin motivation – to deliver a historic title for their captain, and to honour a brother they lost along the way.