Ronaldo unfazed by tough draw

Ronaldo: Fears nobody

Cristiano Ronaldo is confident Portugal can rise to the challenge this summer and successfully negotiate a tough group.

Carlos Queiroz's side have been handed an unenviable draw at the World Cup finals, with Group G tipped to be the most competitive at the tournament.

Alongside Portugal, Ivory Coast, Brazil and North Korea will battle it out for a place in the knockout stages.

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo accepts that the draw could have been more favourable to his side, but expects the magnitude of the task ahead to help raise performance levels.

"I think Portugal is doing well. It's true that we play a very tough group stage but this helps us to improve even more," he said.

Ambition

"Portugal is in a very good moment. It's true that the team has changed a lot. We will spend lots of time together before the tournament starts and that will help us to play a better World Cup this year.

"The first games of the group stage are very important."

Ronaldo also believes that Portugal should be considered among the favourites to take the title in South Africa.

He added: "Theoretically you can say that Spain, England, Italy, Germany, Brazil and Portugal are always the strongest candidates.

"It will be a very special World Cup. Every player has the ambition to play such a tournament in order to showcase his abilities."