The 2018 World Cup gets underway on June 14th and football fans around the world are relishing the opportunity to witness some of the sport’s greatest stars in action throughout the month-long competition. The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, David Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo are all expected to shine in Russia and will be aiming to fire their teams to glory.

The latter has a propensity to grab the headlines and will be hoping to steal the show once again. It could potentially be the 33-year old’s final appearance at the World Cup and he will be hoping to make it a memorable four weeks. Can the Real Madrid star help inspire the European Champions to unexpected success in the summer?

Unsurprisingly, holders Germany have been priced up as the early favourites for the tournament and can be backed at 9/2. Joachim Low’s side have kept the nucleus of their squad that was successful in Brazil four years ago and are seemingly the side to beat. Spain, Argentina, France and Brazil are also priced up prominently in the outright market. Portugal are considered 25/1 shots to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy on July 15th and, with Ronaldo in their ranks, Fernando Santos’ side should not be written off.

The man nicknamed CR7 has been in imperious form lately and fired in his 50th career hat-trick against Girona on March 18th. Real Madrid’s inconsistent league form may have ruled them out of the La Liga title race but Zinedine Zidane’s side are still hoping to defend their UEFA Champions League crown. Los Blancos have been priced up at 4/1 in the tournament outright market by William Hill and will be aiming to make it a hat-trick of successes in the competition.

It looks set to be a hugely competitive four weeks in Russia and, whilst many punters may not feel confident backing Portugal in the outright market, alternative options are available. The European Champions can be backed at 8/11 to reach the quarter-finals, whilst they are a tempting 5/2 to make it to the final four.

Portugal have been drawn in Group B alongside neighbours Spain, making their passage to the latter stages of the competition potentially tricky but they are a side who have a habit of overcoming adversity. Very few pundits gave them a chance against France in the Euro 2016 final but they held firm and Eder’s extra-time strike was enough to see off Les Bleus. Ronaldo was struggling for fitness towards the end of the competition but proved influential enough to play a significant part in that success.

He is undoubtedly the star attraction of this Portugal side but Ronaldo is also set to be joined by a number of exciting prospects including Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Guedes and Ruben Neves, who has been tremendous for Wolves this season. They may not have the strength-in-depth of Germany or Brazil but they do possess a togetherness and unity that is vitally important at international tournaments.

The Real Madrid playmaker may not be getting any younger but he is still hugely influential and is likely to play a significant part at the 2018 World Cup. It is not advised to label Portugal a “one-man team” but Ronaldo’s presence in the side seemingly gives everybody a huge lift and he will be hoping to guide his country to glory on the biggest stage of all.