Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos has spoken candidly about his position as a substitute behind Cristiano Ronaldo, expressing his desire to be in the starting lineup for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a recent interview on the watch.tm podcast alongside teammate Nuno Mendes, the 24-year-old PSG forward acknowledged the challenge of competing with Ronaldo for the central striker role.
Ramos, who has mostly featured off the bench for Portugal, emphasized the need for patience. ‘Obviously, I’d like to start every game. But when you see your teammates performing well, you have to respect that and wait for your chance,’ he said. His comments come as he reflects on his limited opportunities under coach Roberto Martinez.
The forward had a breakout moment at the 2022 World Cup, scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland in the Round of 16 after replacing Ronaldo. However, since then, he has returned to a backup role. During the 2025-26 season with Paris Saint-Germain, Ramos made 45 appearances but started only 15 times, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists.
Internationally, Ramos has 10 goals and three assists in 25 caps, with only 10 starts. As Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer with 143 international goals, prepares for another World Cup, Ramos remains ready to step up when called upon. His message to Martinez is clear: he is eager to prove himself from the start.