United States to Face Portugal in Friendly with Cristiano Ronaldo
The United States Soccer Federation is finalizing details for a friendly match against Portugal in March. The match, which could take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, would mark Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to US soil after several years. According to sources close to the negotiations, the Atlanta stadium is the main candidate to host this exciting match. The presence of Ronaldo, captain of the Portuguese national team, would be a special attraction for fans, as he has not played in the United States since 2014, when he participated in a tour with Real Madrid. This friendly match is shaping up to be an opportunity for the American public to see one of the great stars of world soccer in action. In addition to Portugal, Belgium is being considered as another possible rival for that same period, which represents the last international window before the 2026 World Cup. The realization of both matches is subject to the teams qualifying for the World Cup and avoiding the intercontinental playoffs in March.Belgium currently holds the second position in Group J of the UEFA qualifiers, one point behind North Macedonia, but with a pending match. Portugal leads Group F on goal difference, after defeating Armenia 5-0, with two goals from Ronaldo.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to MLS’s Atlanta United FC and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, will host eight matches in the upcoming World Cup. Both teams are owned by Arthur J. Blank, who contributed $50 million to the construction of the USSF’s new training facilities in Fayetteville, Georgia. The last match between the United States and Portugal was in 2017, a 1-1 draw in Leiria, Portugal, where Weston McKennie scored on his debut for the US national team. The last encounter between the United States and Belgium was in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with a 2-1 defeat in the round of 16.
