The stage is being set for a footballing spectacle in the United States, one that promises not just a high-stakes international friendly but also the potential return of one of the sport`s most colossal figures. Reports indicate that the U.S. Men`s National Team (USMNT) is diligently orchestrating a series of challenging encounters ahead of co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a looming fixture against Portugal creating significant buzz.
This proposed match, tentatively slated for the international window in late March, carries an undercurrent of drama for reasons extending beyond mere sport. It could mark the first time Cristiano Ronaldo, the indelible legend of Portuguese football, graces American soil with his presence since 2014. A decade-long hiatus for a player of his global magnitude from a major sports market is, by any measure, an anomaly.
Strategic Preparation for a Global Showcase
For the USMNT, these friendlies are more than just exhibition games; they are vital litmus tests. Coach Mauricio Pochettino`s squad aims to calibrate its performance against top-tier opposition, refining tactics and cohesion in the crucible of elite international competition. The philosophy is clear: confronting the highest level, even with the inherent risk of unfavorable results, offers invaluable learning. This strategy is evident in their recent schedule, featuring matches against formidable teams like Turkey, Switzerland, South Korea, and Japan, with other FIFA top-30 nations such as Ecuador, Australia, and Uruguay also on the radar.
Portugal, currently ranked among the world`s top six, represents precisely the kind of formidable challenge the USMNT seeks. A World Cup quarter-finalist in 2022 and recent winner of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, their squad boasts a constellation of stars from Europe`s most prominent clubs. Yet, even amidst this talent, the 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo remains, remarkably, the team`s undeniable focal point. His enduring influence and goal-scoring prowess continue to defy conventional expectations of sporting longevity.
The proposed venue for this high-profile friendly is the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This 71,000-seat stadium, a jewel in American sports infrastructure, is not only home to MLS`s Atlanta United and the NFL`s Falcons but is also a designated host city for the 2026 World Cup, slated to stage a semifinal match. The location underscores the USMNT`s commitment to immersing itself in the environments that will define its World Cup journey, potentially even coinciding with the inauguration of U.S. Soccer`s new $200 million training facility nearby in Fayetteville.
The Unseen Chapters: Ronaldo`s Decade-Long Absence
While European club giants frequently tour the U.S. in their preseason rituals, Ronaldo`s personal appearances on American turf ceased abruptly after a Real Madrid friendly in Michigan in August 2014. His subsequent transfers to Juventus, Manchester United, and Al-Nassr did not include U.S. tours, leaving a noticeable void for American fans. This extended absence was not a matter of scheduling conflicts or changing club allegiances, but rather stemmed from a complex and highly publicized legal entanglement in the United States.
In 2017, German newspaper Der Spiegel brought to light allegations of rape made against Ronaldo by Kathryn Mayorga concerning an incident in Las Vegas in 2009. The player and his legal team consistently and vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that the encounter was consensual. However, the revelation initiated a protracted legal battle that played out across various courts and news cycles, keeping the global icon away from American jurisdiction.
The chronology of events included Mayorga filing a civil complaint, followed by an out-of-court settlement in 2010 where Ronaldo paid $375,000 in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement. This agreement, his representatives maintained, was “by no means a confession of guilt.” However, upon the allegations becoming public in 2017, Mayorga`s new legal counsel sought to nullify the settlement. Las Vegas police reopened the case in September 2018, leading to a DNA warrant for Ronaldo that reportedly matched evidence. Despite these developments, investigators faced significant hurdles, including difficulties in verifying certain documents and non-cooperation from British police regarding an unrelated 2005 accusation. Ultimately, in 2019, the Clark County District Attorney`s office opted not to file charges, concluding that “the allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The civil case, initially filed in state court, eventually moved to federal court and was dismissed by a judge in June 2022. Adding a concluding twist to this prolonged legal narrative, Mayorga`s attorney was later ordered to pay Ronaldo $334,637.50 in legal fees for the use of stolen documents in the lawsuit, an appeal against which was withdrawn in May 2024. With the legal avenues seemingly exhausted and the judicial files closed, the path for Ronaldo`s return to the U.S. has conceptually cleared.
A Match Beyond the Game
Should the friendly against Portugal materialize, it promises to be more than just a pre-World Cup warm-up. It will be a convergence of sporting ambition, a test of the USMNT`s readiness, and a compelling chapter in the career of a footballer who has transcended the sport. Cristiano Ronaldo`s potential appearance in Atlanta would undoubtedly draw immense crowds and international media attention, turning a friendly into a cultural event.
The symbolism of such a return, nearly a decade after a period dominated by legal headlines rather than sporting ones on American soil, adds a unique layer of intrigue. It serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated athletes navigate complex lives, where off-field events can dramatically shape their public presence and geographic movements. For US Soccer, hosting Ronaldo, under these circumstances, would underscore America`s emergence as a global football hub, capable of attracting and managing events of immense sporting and societal significance.