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The Portuguese national soccer team arrived in Palm Beach Gardens and practiced at its World Cup headquarters at Gardens North County District Park on Saturday, June 13.
That included Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s greatest-ever soccer players who also has 660 million Instagram followers. He’s up there in greatness with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami FC of Major League Soccer and once considered living in Boca Raton.
The Portugal team’s light training session at North County District Park was before a select gathering of about 200 fans and media. Palm Beach Post sports reporter and seasoned soccer reporter Hal Habib was there, as was a Post photographer.
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Also training in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast are teams from England, at the same Palm Beach Gardens facility, Curacao, in Boca Raton, and Haiti, in Port St. Lucie.
Are alligators a problem in Palm Beach Gardens?
A Portuguese newspaper, A Bola, reported that three alligators were spotted near one of the team’s facilities. While that may not be news to Floridians – after all there are gators in just about any body of water in Florida – it did apparently cause some concern for the team.
According to a post to X, formerly Twitter, from Touchmine, a dedicated soccer , multiple Portuguese players at training camp have complained about repeated gator sightings. The post, citing “sources close to the squad,” said several players have reportedly refused to leave their hotel rooms after spotting at least four alligators near the practice fields and walking paths.
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Ronaldo spotted at a beach in Palm Beach
While Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team are practicing in Palm Beach Gardens, they are reportedly staying at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, a five-star resort on the island.
Social media posts showed Ronaldo enjoying the beach, apparently in Palm Beach. He also posted a photo on his Instagram account of him on a beach.
Palm Beach Post reporter Hal Habib was at the Palm Beach Gardens facility on Saturday, June 13 when someone asked Ronaldo’s teammate, Vitinha, about the photo that appeared of Ronaldo on a beach looking ripped.
“I can guarantee it is not Photoshopped,” Vitinha said. “He looks great. He is 41 now. I’m 26 and I definitely don’t look like that.”
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Did Ronaldo once cost Coca-Cola billions of dollars?
Did Cristiano Ronaldo, one of soccer’s greatest all-time players who’ll be practicing in Palm Beach Gardens for the 2026 World Cup, cost Coca-Cola billions of dollars?
As part of a soccer tournament in 2020, Ronaldo appeared at a press conference and made a gesture for people to drink water instead of Coke, one of the tournament’s sponsors.
That, according to USA TODAY, may have cost the soda company $4 billion in market value.
Coca-Cola shares dropped from $56.17 to $55.22 after Ronaldo moved two Coke bottles out of view during the press conference and picked up a bottle of water, saying “agua!” (Portuguese for water) before Portugal’s match against Hungary.
Days later, Coca-Cola’s stock price was trading even lower to close at $54.95, bringing its total market value down by $5.1 billion to $236.9 billion from $242 billion.
Coca-Cola was one of the sponsors for the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament and a statement from the company reviewed by the Guardian said, “everyone is entitled to their drink preferences.”
A Euro 2020 spokesperson reportedly said, “Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conference.”
Ronaldo may have started a trend, because French soccer player Paul Pogba mirrored the same gesture with a Heineken beer bottle following a match with Germany the following day.
Ronaldo is well known for his impressive physique and told goal.com that to keep his body in good shape he avoids alcohol and carbonated drinks.
When does Portugal play in the World Cup?
Portugal begins group play Wednesday, June 17 against Congo in Houston before a June 23 match vs. Uzbekistan, also in Houston. The finale is the highly anticipated match vs. Colombia in Miami on June 27.
Portugal is making its ninth World Cup appearance, hoping to surpass its best finish of third in 1966. Its overall record is 17-12-6.
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What to know about the Portuguese national team
Are they really that good? Yup. The team is ranked fifth in the world by FIFA.
Who is Cristiano Ronaldo?
CR7, as he’s affectionately known by his fans, is a goal-scoring machine and a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or winner. Ronaldo and Lionel Messi took turns winning world player of the year honors. Their rivalry will go down as one of the greatest legends in sports. Think Ali-Frazier, Bird-Magic, Jack-Arnie. Question is, can he do it on the world stage at age 41?
Who else steers the Portuguese ship?
Vitinha, a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain, was third in Ballon d’Or voting. Another midfielder, Bruno Fernandes, is Manchester United’s captain and Portugal’s top playmaker.
Who are Portugal’s opponents in the World Cup group stage?
June 17: vs. Congo in Houston.
June 23: vs. Uzbekistan in Houston.
June 27: vs. Colombia on June 27 in Miami.
The Colombia match drew more than 30 million ticket requests, more than any other match in the tournament, including the final.
What is Portugal’s history in the World Cup?
Portugal has never lifted the trophy but will be making its seventh straight appearance. Its highest finish is third place in 1966 — coincidentally, the team’s World Cup debut. Portugal reached the quarterfinals in Qatar in 2022.
Who is Portugal’s coach?
Roberto Martinez is familiar to U.S. fans as a former analyst for ESPN’s World Cup coverage. His coaching career has included time with Wigan Athletic, Everton and Belgium. He was named Portugal’s coach in January 2023.
How did Portugal qualify?
With a cannon blast. The team won Group F by blowing out Armenia 9-1, proving how dangerous this side can be on attack.
Who is Portugal’s legendary player?
Besides Ronaldo, you mean? Try Eusebio, who in the ’66 tournament scored nine times, a performance that still is talked about today. More recently, the clever and dangerous Luis Figo graced the field for the Portuguese.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ronaldo in Florida, with gators, beaches and Coca-Cola tales
Reporting by Hal Habib and John Bisognano, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hal Habib and John Bisognano, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
