CRISTIANO RONALDO has issued a battle cry to his Portugal team-mates ahead of their World Cup play-off clash this week.<\/p>\n
Portugal made their route into the winter World Cup difficult after a shock 2-1 loss in the group stages to Serbia saw them finish in second spot.<\/p>\n
And now Ronaldo and his compatriots will first have to get past Turkey in the play-offs on Thursday to have any chance of competing in the Qatar World Cup later this year.<\/p>\n
Then Fernando Santos' side need to dispose of the winners of the other play-off clash between Italy and North Macedonia five days later to earn a spot amongst football's elite on the world stage.<\/p>\n
But Ronaldo's laser-focused on helping Portugal secure their position in the World Cup which he feels is his homeland's rightful place to be.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Instagram, he said: "Total focus on the 2022 World Cup. 'Proud, as always, to represent Portugal.<\/p>\n
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"We know that the path will not be easy, we have the utmost respect for the opponents we will face and who share the same goals as us.<\/p>\n
"But together, we will fight to put Portugal in its rightful place. Let's do it."<\/p>\n
If Portugal come unstuck in the play-offs, it will be the first time they've failed to get into the competition since 1998.<\/p>\n
The 2016 European Champions will be counting on Ronaldo to put on the scoring boots that saw him score a hat-trick in Man United's 3-2 win over Tottenham earlier this month.<\/p>\n