Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports former Portuguese Star Pedro Mendes Rangers, reflected on Portsmouth’s challenges, predicted the main contenders for next year’s World Cup including his native Portugal and weighed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential retirement plans.
Mendes also discussed José Mourinho’s legacy, whether he could manage Portugal one day, and how Arsenal’s current form could challenge historic records in the Premier League.
Portsmouth FC
Portsmouth
That would be very sad. They fought so hard to come back to the Championship, and now they're struggling. It's a long season to go as well; it's just over one-third of the season.
There are a lot of teams down there with few points between them. It would be sad. I think they will stay in the Championship, but they need to start winning games, start winning points, because if it goes to the end, it's a nightmare.
There's a lot of pressure every single game. And if the team is struggling, the players will struggle to cope with that pressure, and it will be devastating for them.
Prediction: Charlton vs Portsmouth?
Well, in my time at Portsmouth, when we started a great escape, we went to Charlton and drew, I think we drew 1-1. We couldn't afford to lose by then. I think it’ll be a 1-1 draw again this time.
2026 World Cup
World Cup Favourites
I think the main contenders to win next year are Portugal, Spain, England, and maybe France, as they all have good squads. I don't think Germany or Italy will challenge; Italy might not even qualify.
So, I think one of those four European teams will win. I believe the squad of players we have for Portugal is unbelievable. However, one of our problems is that we sometimes underperform; for example, the game against Ireland was terrible. We didn't perform at all.
There is always that concern that we might underperform in a big game at the World Cup. But if you look from the goalkeeper to the striker, we have players playing for the best teams in the world.
I think this generation deserves to win the World Cup. It will be very difficult, of course, because there are many strong national teams out there, but I think we can win next year.
Ronaldo To Start Or Not To Start?
As long as Cristiano is fit and ready to play, he should play. It just brings something; even if he's not involved a lot of the time, he's always a worry for the other team.
Always a worry for the other team. He has that killer instinct, that killer touch inside the box. When the ball bounces to him, he can score at any time, at any minute.
So I think if he's fit, he should start. Every single day.
Dropping Ronaldo
I think in Portugal, maybe 90% of the Portuguese people want Cristiano Ronaldo to start. But there's always that 10%, you know, there's always that 10%.
But I think, again, as I said, if he drops him for some reason, it must be a physical reason. If he's fit, I think he should play. And I think Roberto Martinez will play him all the time.
Should Ronaldo Be Dropped?
Ronaldo Retirement
I don't know what's happening in his head, and if he wants to play on. But if in his head the word retirement is there, I think winning the World Cup will be the perfect finish for him.
The 1,000 goals? That's the thing. He may go on for one or two more years. In Saudi, he may score them. But again, if we don't win it, maybe he'll stay a couple more years to chase that record, that 1,000 goal.
But if we win it, I think it'll be a massive doubt in his head if it's enough or if he'll go for the 1,000 goal. So let's see.
Ronaldo vs Messi
It's always a big occasion. Every time there's a Ronaldo vs Messi match, it's always a big occasion. We were fortunate enough to see those amazing players, but I think they were unlucky to be in the same generation.
If they played at different times, they would both be considered the best of all time in their respective generations without question. But again, there's always that debate: who was the best? Messi or Ronaldo?
So every time there's a game between them, it's a big occasion. And it'll be great every time you see it. I hope Messi plays, because Messi on the pitch is always a joy to watch as a football fan, not just as a Portuguese fan, but as a football fan. I hope he goes.
Portugal and Argentina in the final would be good. It could be the retirement match for one of them.
Jose Mourinho
Has Mourinho Changed?
Well, at the time, it was different. He was one of a kind. It was really a pleasure to work under him, under his command. But football changed a lot. A lot of things have changed in football. New managers, new ideas, new football approaches, new game approaches, and new systems that we have never heard of in the past.
But what I can see hasn’t changed is his presence, his speech, the way he faces the press, the way he talks to the players, the way he talks to the press regarding his players.
I can see that it has never changed. Recently, he has struggled a little bit, but that's a sign of the times.
Managing Portugal
Everyone in football in Portugal believes that one day Jose Mourinho will be our national team manager. When he was out of a job, I don't know if Roberto Martínez had failed somehow; he could have jumped in straight away, but Roberto Martínez won one of the Nations League tournaments, and he's doing a fantastic job now for the World Cup qualifiers.
Jose Mourinho just signed for Benfica a month ago, so we need to wait on that.
But I think one day he will. I think he will. I think he also has this desire.
Can Arsenal Beat Mourinho’s Record?
If they break Chelsea’s record, Arsenal will be champions. I think Mikel Arteta is working well. He knows that even if they concede a few goals, the power we have up front means we will score.
But still, he knew that they could concede less, and I think he's doing a great job in that area. That defensive improvement could be one key thing for them to win the Premier League this year.
I'm not sure if they'll break the record, but one of the key things they have this year that can give them the title is that defensive consistency.
Will Arsenal Break the Premier League Defensive Record?
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