Cristiano Ronaldo feels confident in his ability to perform well on a large platform, not for the first time.
Unable to acknowledge the ravages of aging, a man with almost limitless self-confidence is counting on the World Cup to usher in a triumphant finale to his great career.
The 37-year-old forward from Portugal faces a make-or-break few weeks as a result of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan this week, leaving him little room for error should things go wrong.
It's a really big risk. But it's unlikely that Ronaldo, who has racked up numerous awards over his career, has even considered failing.
By engaging in a public battle with Manchester United and making himself available for sale, he has very purposefully made sure that all eyes are on him in Qatar.
Whether it is a matter of self-belief or self-delusion is the question.
Reality has hit him hard, as evidenced by his this season's on-field performances. The sudden surge of speed seemed to have vanished. There are differences in the energy levels. And perhaps most shockingly, there simply isn't that cutting edge.
Ronaldo has played in 16 of United's 21 games this season, but he has only three goals to his credit.
In the Europa League, Sheriff FC of Moldova was the opponent for two of the goals, one of which was a penalty. The second was a victory over Everton, the 700th of his club career.
These statistics offer little proof that he is about to make a strong statement at the World Cup, notwithstanding the milestone he reached with the goal in the Premier League. Ronaldo, however, made it obvious in that interview that he felt Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, had mismanaged and underutilized him.
He has the opportunity to demonstrate this at the World Cup because, if he carries his club form into the competition, it is difficult to predict where he will appear next.
Even after scoring 24 goals the previous season, he was unable to join one of the top clubs in Europe, and there is no evidence that this situation has improved. Ronaldo may find it challenging to find suitors when the January transfer window opens due to his eagerness to criticize his management, owners, and other players on worldwide television.
We'll have to wait and see if Portugal makes a strong run and challenges for the Golden Boot as the top scorer in Qatar. But it is undoubtedly his only chance to continue playing professional soccer.
A new chapter may be advantageous for both Manchester and him personally, he suggested to TalkTV.
In response, the Premier League team declared that it had "taken relevant processes" in light of his behavior. It's probable that his contract will be terminated.
Even as a free agent, Ronaldo's reported weekly wage of $590,000 presents a significant barrier for other clubs that are interested in signing him. It is crucial that he show that he is still capable of performing at the highest level because of this.
However, Ronaldo's off-field accomplishments have garnered more attention. None more so than that interview with Morgan, who gave off the impression of being a grumpy old man who blamed pretty much everyone else for his inability to establish himself as the focal point of a team that is progressing without him.
He explained, "It's the new coaches that are coming around. They believe they have discovered the final Coca-Cola in the desert.
That comparison only served to reinforce the notion that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has won seven league titles in three different countries and five Champions League championships, is becoming a player who is out of step with the modern game.
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