9 June 2006, by Sean Gillen

Ronaldo feels Euro 2004 spirit in Portugal camp

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking forward to taking part in his first World Cup, and believes that his Portugal team are going into the tournament in good form.

The 21-year-old played a starring role as his side reached the final of Euro 2004, and was hugely influential as his side qualified with ease for the finals in Germany.

“Hopefully this will be the first of many World Cups for me,” Ronaldo told the Manchester United magazine.

“We have a good team this year and we have been very pleased with the way we have played and qualified.”

“I think there is a similar feeling now as there was before the European Championships in 2004 but we are well aware that it will be more difficult this time.”

Portugal begin their World Cup campaign on Sunday, and Ronaldo is fully focused on the group D opener against Angola, before Luiz Scolari’s men take on Iran and Mexico.

“We have to think about winning the group. That is our main aim and to be successful in our first game against Angola is very important,” he said.

“Mexico and Iran are funny opponents in football terms, but we have to consider winning that first game to give us the confidence to win the other two. Only then can we think about who comes first.”

After scoring twice on home soil during the European Championships in 2004, Ronaldo has regularly found the net for his country, but the Manchester United man insists that his main priority will be to help his team.

“I will try to score and I’ll be pleased if I can get a few, but my priority is to work for the team. Scoring goals will be the icing on the cake if the team does well.”