Portugal are eyeing their first World Cup triumph this winter. The Selecao broke their silverware duck on the international stage by winning Euro 2016, but have hitherto failed in their attempts to be crowned champions of the world.
And Portugal’s campaign in Qatar will be given the extra jeopardy of almost certainly being the final iteration at which Cristiano Ronaldo, their captain and greatest ever player, will compete.
Though it’s not impossible that the evergreen Manchester United star will turn out at the 2016 edition in his forties, it’s more likely than not that this year’s tournament will be his final hurrah.
Marry that to Portugal experiencing something of a ‘Golden Generation’ with a whole slew of Premier League stars in their squad and the pressure is on for them to finally conquer the globe.