Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup Bets
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the undoubted star players to watch at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. At 33, it could be the last time we see the Portuguese icon on the grandest stage in international football.
The spotlight falls on superstar talent Ronaldo as Portugal play in Group B at the tournament. Great players attract big betting attention, so what are the World Cup wagers involving Real Madrid's maestro that appeal?
Winner/Top Goalscorer Double
Bearing in mind Portugal are European champions, it's hard to believe the double of them winning the World Cup and Ronaldo finishing as tournament top scorer is as big as 100/1 with some bookmakers. Fernando Santos got his country to grind out results in France at Euro 2016 two years ago and that is what champions do.
Ronaldo may have scored at every major international tournament he's been to, but not even his biggest fans could truly say he has taken one by storm. This is one of the difficulties of playing for Portugal, as it's hard to turn on the style when he's the best player they have by some distance.
There's not going to be many chances left for Ronaldo to grab a tournament by the scruff of the neck and take home the Golden Boot. If you'd prefer to hedge your bets and back Portugal to follow-up on their Euros triumph and Ronaldo being tournament top scorer separately, then they are best-price 25/1 and 16/1 chances respectively.
If involved in what look like easy Group B games on paper against Iran and Morocco, then Ronaldo could certainly grab goals galore. You can back him each-way in that top scorer market and get a quarter of the odds if Ronaldo is among the first four in the charts.
World Cup Golden Ball award winner
Ronaldo won the Silver Boot at Euro 2016, but the prize every footballer wants to win at the World Cup is the Golden Ball, given to the best player at the tournament. His individual awards at club level are legion; he's won the Ballon d'Or five times.
Odds of 20/1 to be voted best player at the 2018 World Cup finals look very generous indeed. Ronaldo only needs to lead by example for Portugal as he always does and fire them through the tournament and he'll be a serious contender for this prize.
Anytime scorer against Spanish
Ronaldo has played in La Liga since 2009, yet he has never scored an international goal against Spain, the Iberian neighbours and bitter rivals of Portugal. His career has been contemporary to La Roja's dominance of the global game but, as we saw in Brazil four years ago, the reign of Spain is no more.
That notwithstanding, it's unusual to find Ronaldo odds against to get a goal in a game, so anytime scorer tips on him netting in the Iberia derby that opens Group B on Friday, 15 June at 23/10 with some bookies must be considered.
It is a terrific price on Ronaldo to get the better of Sergio Ramos, who he will train against at Real Madrid all the time, and ex-Manchester United teammate Gerard Pique. Portugal have only lost one of their last four clashes with La Roja in 90 minutes, so they certainly have the measure of the Spaniards.