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Why Cristiano Ronaldo Stands Sideways During Portugal’s National Anthem

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Cristiano Ronaldo is likely playing in his last-ever World Cup this summer. His first involvement in a major tournament for Portugal came in Euro 2004, while he won the European Championships competition in 2016, he’s never got his hands on the biggest prize.

Indeed, this will be the sixth World Cup Ronaldo has played in, and almost certainly his final chance to win it. Across the past editions, he’s scored eight goals and picked up two assists in 22 games, but has never made it past the semi-finals. Portugal came fourth in Germany 2006, crashed out at the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2018, didn’t even make it out of the group in 2014, and went out at the quarters in 2022.

Now 41, the Saudi Pro League star is very much past his prime, but will still expect to make a big impact this summer. In fairness, he has scored 10 goals in his last 10 international outings going into the tournament, which suggests he could yet be a real threat for the Portuguese.

At Euro 2024, however, Ronaldo struggled, failing to score as he started all five games before his team were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals. He made plenty of headlines that summer, but one interesting thing eagle-eyed viewers spotted was that he stood at a slightly different angle from his teammates during the Portugal national anthem ahead of kick-off. It’s likely to happen again at the 2026 World Cup, but why does CR7 do it?

Why Cristiano Ronaldo Stands Sideways During Portugal National Anthem

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the national anthems

As the Portuguese team line up, side by side to sing ‘A Portuguesa’, Ronaldo instead often chooses to stand sideways in the lineup. He does so as a way of showing how much love and respect he has for his nation.

Indeed, the Al Nassr striker positions himself differently to make sure that he is facing the Portugal flag wherever it is flying in the stadium. Beyond anything else, this is simply an act of patriotism.

This has been a tradition of the captain throughout his career as a sign of respect for his home nation. Some may laugh at this idiosyncratic behaviour, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt the veteran forward.

Indeed, Ronaldo has scored more goals for Portugal than any other player in international football. In fact, he’s scored more goals in the sport than anyone else, so his methods ought not to be questioned when it comes to pre-game superstitions.

Ronaldo’s International Record

Games

227

Goals

143

Assists

46

Major Tournaments

11*

Tournament Wins

1 (Euro 2016)

*Will become 12 once Ronaldo plays at the 2026 World Cup

Roberto Martinez Backs Ronaldo: ‘Age is Only a Number’

A custom image of Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez and Bruno Fernandes

Ronaldo won Euro 2016 but was injured during the final. His absence in that game may be pointed out by those critics who suggest Portugal would be better off without him. Manager Roberto Martinez is often questioned about the matter, but has insisted that the 41-year-old is in the team based on merit, not reputation.

Speaking to the press about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ahead of the tournament, the Portugal manager explained:

“We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure.

“Age is only a number. Certainly in the national team we can measure exactly what’s happening on the day, and ​you make the decisions for the next day. You never look any longer than the next day.”

Portugal come up against DR Congo in their first Group K match, before meeting Uzbekistan and Colombia. Ronaldo will almost certainly start some of those games, and it will be interesting to see how he lines up during the national anthem.

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Kim Kardashian Blasted Over Treatment of Martin Brundle at Monaco GP

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Formula One fans were furious at how Kim Kardashian treated much-loved broadcaster Martin Brundle at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Brundle, whose grid walks have become famous for their candid, unpredictable encounters with celebrities, found himself at the centre of another memorable moment in Monte Carlo. As drivers, team members, media crews and VIP guests packed the grid ahead of the prestigious race, the Sky Sports commentator spotted Kardashian and attempted to grab a quick interview.

Kim was on the grid to support her boyfriend, Lewis Hamilton. The influencer has already been made aware of the rules she must follow at races, but she appeared in no mood to follow the unofficial rule where celebrities give Brundle a few seconds of their time on his grid walk.

Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian

The reality TV star and SKIMS founder seemed to ignore Brundle’s attempts to speak with her. The awkward exchange took an even more dramatic turn when a member of Kardashian’s entourage appeared to physically block and push Brundle away. Never one to hold back, the veteran broadcaster responded immediately, delivering a sharp remark that quickly caught the attention of viewers.

Moments like this highlight the clash that can happen when the worlds of sport and celebrity intersect. For Formula One fans, Martin Brundle is one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, a former driver who has become a familiar and respected voice through his years of broadcasting. To members of a celebrity entourage, however, he may simply appear to be another reporter trying to get close to a high-profile guest.

Being blocked while trying to do his job was clearly an uncomfortable moment for Brundle, but his response showed the good humour that has made his grid walks so popular over the years. Rather than allowing the situation to escalate, he used a touch of self-deprecating humour to diffuse the tension, by yelling: “Don’t shove me, I’m nearly famous,” as he created yet another memorable moment in the unpredictable theater of the Formula One paddock.

Fans React to Kim Kardashian’s Snub of Martin Brundle at Monaco GP

Kim Kardashian

Brundle might have found humour in the scenario, but fans on social media were nowhere near as forgiving.

“Didn’t we just know Kim Kardashian would refuse to speak to Martin Brundle. She has no place on our grid!”

Another argued that Kardashian must have been aware of Brundle’s significance in the F1 world:

“Kim Kardashian ignoring Martin Brundle is an insult. Surely Lewis [Hamilton] would have mentioned his grid walk to her?”

A third fan wrote: “At least say you dont want an interview, instead of being disrespectful,” while a final poster summed up the scene as “the most awkward interaction I’ve ever seen.”

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Every 2026 World Cup Squad Ranked By Age

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All 48 teams that will compete in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, have now named their 26-man squads for this summer’s tournament. Naturally, the first thing fans looked for in each announcement was the star names included — and, just as importantly, those who missed out.

For neutrals, however, judging a team’s chances solely by the name on the back of the shirt can be something of a fool’s errand. Indeed, Spain, France and Argentina are among the favourites for their talented squads, while England will be hoping to finally end a 60-year international trophy drought under Thomas Tuchel.

That said, experience and tournament know-how can often be another overlooked-yet-useful yardstick for success. There is a caveat, though: younger squads can play with a freedom and fearlessness that sometimes catches more seasoned opponents off guard. With that in mind, and thanks to Rotowire, every World Cup squad has been ranked from oldest to youngest, and the results are interesting.


FIFA World Rankings


FIFA Men’s World Rankings List

The latest international rankings have been revealed – Spain have been dethroned ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

48-41

Casemiro

“Brazilian” and “wonderkid” often go hand in hand in football, with Europe’s biggest clubs regularly vying for the nation’s brightest young talents during the summer transfer window. But in his first major tournament as an international manager, Carlo Ancelotti has largely opted for experience over youth, overlooking many products of Brazil’s world-renowned academies. Endrick and Rayan are among the few exceptions in a squad that averages 28.65 years of age.

That places Brazil 41st on this list, narrowly ahead of both Egypt – who will hope Mohamed Salah can turn back the clock – and Scotland, who will harbour ambitions of a historic tournament led by the experience and leadership of Andrew Robertson and John McGinn. The Tartan Army also have the oldest player heading stateside, with backup goalkeeper Craig Gordon being 43.

Elsewhere, Colombia also feature in this bracket with an average age of 29.58. However, Panama take the unwanted crown as the oldest squad at the tournament, boasting an average age of 30. More strikingly, they do not have a single player under the age of 23 in their squad – a potential warning light on the dashboard for future tournaments.

Average age of every World Cup team (48-41)

Rank

Nation

Height

48

Panama

30.00

47

Iran

29.81

46

Colombia

29.58

45

Cape Verde

29.23

44

Qatar

28.92

43

Scotland

28.73

42

Egypt

28.69

41

Brazil

28.65

40-31

Lionel Messi

If Argentina are to retain the title Lionel Messi masterminded in 2022, they will have to do so with a squad averaging 28.62 years of age. That places them 40th in the rankings, behind Paraguay (28.54), World Cup debutants DR Congo (28.50), and South American rivals Uruguay (28.19).

Austria sit 36th and, given their reputation as perennial dark horses on the international stage, it would be no surprise to see the likes of Marcel Sabitzer and David Alaba help Ralf Rangnick’s side punch above their weight once again. Jordan and Uzbekistan – both preparing for their first World Cup appearances – are next on the list, while Saudi Arabia’s squad strikes a balance between youth and experience, with just four players over 30 and three under 23, resulting in an average age of 27.96.

Croatia’s finest years may now be behind them, with the end of their golden generation appearing ever closer in the rear-view mirror. Even so, they can still call upon the playmaking wizardry of captain Luka Modric, whose experience and quality could keep the engine room running smoothly this summer.

Average age of every World Cup team (40-31)

Rank

Nation

Height

40

Argentina

28.62

39

Paraguay

28.54

38

DR Congo

28.50

37

Uruguay

28.19

36

Austria

28.12

35

Jordan

28.08

34

Uzbekistan

27.96

33

Saudi Arabia

27.96

32

Croatia

27.88

31

Switzerland

27.81

30-21

Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Portugal

At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to appear at his sixth World Cup. If he scores at any point during the tournament, he will become the first player to find the net in six different World Cups. It’s little surprise that his presence inflates Portugal’s average age somewhat, especially given that the world’s fifth-ranked nation also boasts five players under the age of 23.


MixCollage-10-Sep-2025-04-45-PM-7120


World Cup 2026 Power Rankings

England, Spain and France feature in the top 10.

Portugal are the joint 27th-oldest team heading to the United States this summer, with the Nations League winners level with Germany and Curacao on an average age of 27.54. They are also marginally younger than New Zealand, the lowest-ranked side in the tournament. Other notable nations in this bracket include the Netherlands, Turkey and Japan, with the latter two boasting four players over 30 and three younger than 23.

Average age of every World Cup team (30-21)

Rank

Nation

Height

30

New Zealand

27.62

29

Curacao

27.54

28

Germany

27.54

27

Portugal

27.54

26

Mexico

27.50

25

South Korea

27.46

24

Netherlands

27.27

23

Turkey

27.23

22

Czechia

27.23

21

Japan

27.19

20-11

England's Harry Kane celebrates after the World Cup qualifier vs Serbia

Belgium, much like Croatia, are continuing their transition away from a golden generation that many feel should have had more silverware to show for its talents. While established stars such as Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain central figures in a squad entering its autumn years, a new wave of talent is emerging to carry the torch. Zeno Debast, Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere are among the young stars helping to ensure the cupboard is far from bare.

Haiti and Sweden are the final two squads with an average age above 27, while Australia (26.88) and Iraq (26.65) sit just below that mark. As a result, they fall into the sweet spot between youth and experience – blending wise heads with fearless legs. Senegal fit that mould too, possessing a squad capable of marrying energy with tournament know-how, hoping they can keep their cool to avoid the controversies that led to the stripping of their AFCON title.

Senegal's Sadio Mane
Senegal’s Sadio Mane

Ranked 14th, England’s well-balanced squad appears to have all the ingredients needed to bring football home. The absences of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are obvious talking points, but with Harry Kane in the form of his life and surrounded by prime-age talent such as Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, Thomas Tuchel may have little reason to dwell on the what-ifs. On paper, the Three Lions have both the firepower and the balance to go deep into the tournament, and they are only marginally older than France’s super team and the host nation, the United States.

Average age of every World Cup team (20-11)

Rank

Nation

Height

20

Belgium

27.12

19

Haiti

27.08

18

Sweden

27.00

17

Australia

26.88

16

Iraq

26.65

15

Senegal

26.62

14

England

26.62

13

France

26.58

12

Algeria

26.46

11

USA

26.42

10-1

Lamine Yamal vs Egypt
Lamine Yamal vs Egypt

Ghana (26.42) have seven players under the age of 23, putting them joint-top among squads with the highest concentration of youngsters, alongside South Africa (26.35), Morocco (25.92), and Ecuador (25.58). The latter of that quartet boast the second-youngest squad in the tournament, with Kendry Paez already regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football.

The youngest squad, however, belongs to Ivory Coast, with an average age of just 25.35, and only three players over the age of 30 selected. Great expectations are likely to rest on their shoulders – particularly Yan Diomande, who finds himself as the only teenager in the squad while also at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.

Another key talking point from the top 10 is that Euro 2024 winners and current favourites for the tournament, Spain, boast the sixth-youngest squad. That, however, should be no burden for La Roja, whose youthful core – including Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Gavi – are already riding the wave of success from just two summers ago.

Average age of every World Cup team (10-1)

Rank

Nation

Height

10

Ghana

26.42

9

Canada

26.42

8

South Africa

26.35

7

Norway

26.35

6

Spain

26.19

5

Tunisia

26.15

4

Morocco

25.92

3

Bosnia & Herzegovina

25.92

2

Ecaudor

25.58

1

Ivory Coast

25.35

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F1 Rules Kim Kardashian Must Follow While Supporting Lewis Hamilton

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Famous social media personality and model Kim Kardashian has been spotted at the Monaco Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton finished third behind Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen on Saturday.

The pair are believed to have been in a relationship since early 2026, although the British Formula 1 legend hasn’t publicly commented on it. However, his old teammate George Russell did refer to Kim K as ‘Hamilton’s girlfriend’ upon her arrival at the circuit.


Max Verstappen Out of Monaco GP


Max Verstappen’s Furious Radio Rant After Being Forced to Retire From Monaco GP

Max’s race was over before it got started…

Hamilton is looking to add to his record-breaking 105 Grand Prix wins in Monaco, and will be supported from the stands by his partner. But the American TV star will need to be on her best behaviour, just like anyone else.

Kim Kardashian Already Breaks Formula 1 Rule at Monaco GP

Kim Kardashian at Formula 1

Kardashian, a social media influencer with over 300 million Instagram followers, took her place on the balcony above the Ferrari garage to watch Hamilton claim third place in qualifying.

One of the rules everyone must follow at F1 events is that a pass must be worn at all times in the paddock. Rule 3.4 of FIA’s Sporting Regulations states:

“All persons concerned in any way with an entered car or present in any other capacity whatsoever in the paddock, pit lane, or track must always wear an appropriate pass.”

Meanwhile, Rule 3.5 says: “No pass may be issued or used other than with the agreement of the FIA. A pass may be used only by the person and for the purpose for which it was issued.”


Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during pre season testing


Why Lewis Hamilton is Refusing to Fully Support England at 2026 World Cup

The seven-time F1 World Champion has made his feelings clear…

However, the 45-year-old has already been spotted in the paddock without a pass of any sort. It’s likely that her security will have sorted that upon her entry to the circuit and it’s hard to imagine any punishment being handed out.

She has stuck to the second rule she needs to follow. The FIA also have a rule that doesn’t permit pets of any sort in the paddock unless permission was granted beforehand.

Lewis Hamilton on Chances of Monaco Win

Lewis Hamilton

After a below-par performance in his first year as a Ferrari driver, the 41-year-old wasn’t overly confident about overtaking Antonelli and Verstappen, but claimed ‘nothing’s impossible’.

He said: “You know how these races go. It’s very, very difficult. I hope we can get a really good start and maybe apply some pressure. I probably need rain. But nothing’s impossible.

“It is a shame that this race is normally a procession, in the sense of following one another. The car is overheating; the brakes are overheating with the way the track is.

“But I’ll try to get in there and hassle these two [Antonelli and Verstappen] as much as I can and force them into not making certain corners.”

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