Cristiano Ronaldo: Average Portugal can’t win 2014 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that Portugal are not good enough to win the World Cup after Sunday’s draw with the United States.

Portugal can still reach the last 16 but even if they were to beat Ghana in their final game, a draw between Germany and the United States would see those two sides advance from Group G.

Ronaldo set up Silvestre Varela’s equaliser deep into injury time against the USA as a dramatic 2-2 draw in Manaus kept Portugal in the competition.

However, the Real Madrid star feels that Paulo Bento’s men were hampered by injuries and suspensions – and says they don’t have a good enough squad to cope.

I never thought we could be world champions, we have to be humble and know our level

Cristiano Ronaldo

“Maybe we’re an average team,” said Ronaldo. “It would be a lie to say that we are a ‘top’ team.

“We have many limitations and suffer from injuries such as with Pepe [who was suspended] and [Fabio] Coentrao. This limits us a lot.

“We have a very limited team and we are not at the best level. This does not enable you to beat top teams.

“There are no miracles. We knew we would have a tough group, with perhaps teams better than us.

“I never thought we could be world champions, we have to be humble and know our level. I’m not a hypocrite, I never thought we could win the tournament.”