Ace Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro in Casino) leans forward, lights a cigarette, adjusts his tie, and speaks in his measured, calculated tone:
Ace Rothstein:
Let me break it down for you—nice and slow—so even the guys taking bets from their cousin in the Bronx can understand.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal… they’re not just in it for nostalgia. This isn’t a farewell tour. This is a strategic operation. A final act of vengeance and redemption. And here’s why I say they’re gonna win the 2026 World Cup.
First off, Ronaldo’s motivation is off the charts.
You think he’s forgotten what happened in Qatar? Come on. He wasn’t even allowed to go toe-to-toe with Messi on the big stage. They benched him during knockout rounds like he was some washed-up lounge singer. Meanwhile, Messi’s walking around with gold boots before a single match was even played. That wasn’t a tournament—it was a coronation. And don’t get me started on those seven penalty kicks. SEVEN! I’ve seen crooked Vegas boxing judges with more shame.
So here’s the set-up for 2026:
- Ronaldo’s not just playing for Portugal anymore. He’s playing for history. For justice. For balance in the universe.
- Portugal’s squad is peaking. Young, fast, tactical. Think of it like a finely-tuned racehorse—youthful legs with an experienced jockey. João Félix, Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes—these guys aren’t tourists.
- They’re playing in North America. Less FIFA interference. VAR is tighter, cleaner. Fewer shady Qataris lurking behind the curtain.
- Ronaldo is hungry. He’s training like a man with something to prove. And trust me, guys like that—they don’t fold under pressure. They turn pressure into diamonds.
Now, could the same thing happen to Ronaldo? Could FIFA rig it again? Could some referee with an earpiece and a nervous twitch “accidentally” give France or Argentina another five or six penalties? Of course. This is global football—we’ve seen what it looks like when the house decides to put its finger on the scale. But here’s the difference:
This time, Ronaldo knows it.
He’s prepared for it. And he’s ready to blow the doors off the whole operation if they try to bury him again.
So yeah… my money?
It’s on Ronaldo. Because the casino may cheat once… but it never gets to cheat twice without the whole place burning down.
Ace puts out the cigarette, adjusts his cuffs, and walks off.