Cristiano Ronaldo's form for Portugal has been outstanding since he hit 30... now another World Cup appearance in Qatar doesn't seem quite so ridiculous

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If Cristiano Ronaldo did not quite reach his usual high standards consistently during last season with Real Madrid then he has already made his mark on his World Cup.

Ronaldo's history at major tournaments is chequered.

Sometimes, since the days when he strode gauchely across the pitches of his home country during the Portugal 2004 European Championships, the 33-year-old has looked to be trying too hard.

Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball in training on Tuesday ahead of the game against Morocco

Ronaldo runs off to celebrate after completing his hat-trick against Spain with a late equaliser

Here in Russia, however, Ronaldo has set a remarkable tone already and heads in to Wednesday's game with Morocco on the back of an opening hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Spain.

Ronaldo's form for his country since turning 30 has been outstanding. He has scored 32 times in 33 games, an improvement on the 52 he had registered in 118 matches before that.

The man himself has said recently that he can keep playing into his 40s. That seems unlikely but as we stand today a fifth World Cup appearance in Qatar in four and a half years' time does not seem as ridiculous as it once did.

Those who know him put his longevity down to the impeccable way that he has looked after himself down the years. Physically, Ronaldo has only grown more formidable over time.

The Real Madrid man hit a trademark free-kick in Sochi for his 84th international goal

Between the ears, meanwhile, few can compare.

The reason he was always accepted so readily by a Manchester United dressing room featuring such impenetrable characters as Roy Keane and Gary Neville back in the day was primarily because of his precocious talent but also because they recognised a will to improve and, as a consequence, a desperate desire to win.

Speaking on ITV this week, former United defender Patrice Evra said: 'With Rio Ferdinand, they were playing table tennis and Rio beat him, and we were all screaming and Ronaldo was so upset.

'Then he sent his cousin to buy a tennis table, he trained for two weeks at home and he came back and he beat Rio in front of everyone.

Ronaldo celebrates after beginning the World Cup with a bang during Portugal's opener

'So that's Cristiano Ronaldo, so that's why I'm not surprised today why he wants to win another golden ball, why he wants to win the World Cup.

'Because he's an angry man.'

Portugal will hope for more from Ronaldo against the north Africans on Wednesday.

Having drawn with Spain, they now have an opportunity to top Group B and avoid what could be a potentially tricky last 16 game with Uruguay.

With the Portuguese, it is as it always has been. They remain a modest looking group of players but their Euro 2016 success showed just how far their captain can take them, even if injury did rob him of the chance to greatly influence their final victory over France in Paris.

Thinking back to that tournament, it is impossible not to forget Ronaldo standing in the interview area after an opening 1-1 draw with Iceland and listening to him bitch and moan about the tactics and indeed the future chances of the opposition.

It seemed back then in St Etienne that we were witnessing the dying of the light of Ronaldo's international career. It seemed impossible that he would stomach the cycle of disappointment much longer.

We were wrong, of course. Ronaldo's presence on the international stage looms larger than it ever has. He remains one of the draws of this tournament.