World Cup 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo claims Portugal face strongest group

The Real Madrid player will come up against Germany, Ghana and United States in the group stage

Cristiano Ronaldo trains with the Portugal squad (GETTY IMAGES)

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo may have won the Champions League and Ballon d'Or this year but he craves international success with Portugal.

The 29-year-old heads to Brazil with doubts over his fitness and question marks still remaining about his ability to influence the biggest tournaments.

And while the national team captain admits Portugal are not favourites for the World Cup - they have been drawn in a group with Germany, Ghana and the United States - he would like to win a title with the national team "one day".

"We aren't favourites but we will try to perform our best as always. We know we have a difficult group stage," he told sportlobster.com.

"In my opinion, we have the strongest group of the World Cup, but we should take it one step at a time.

"We have an important opener against Germany, before we face Ghana and finally the United States.

"Our goal is obviously to pass the group stage and then we'll see.

"We arrived in Brazil with hope, but we will also make sure our feet stay firmly on the ground.

"We have ambition, but with the awareness we have to set ourselves some goals step by step, game by game. We will take it calmly, but also confidently.

"It fills me with pride, satisfaction, pleasure and honour to represent and captain the Portuguese national team but it is also a big responsibility.

"I hope I win a title with the national team one day."

PA