Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said Cristiano Ronaldo will be selected based on his current form, not his age or reputation, as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Speaking to Reuters in Lisbon on Thursday, Martinez emphasized: “We manage Cristiano Ronaldo as a player trying to earn a place in the 2026 squad, not as an icon of the past.”
Ronaldo, 41, could feature in his sixth World Cup — a remarkable achievement even for a player who has shattered numerous football records. He is the all-time leading men's international scorer with 143 goals.
In Portugal, the debate is not about whether Ronaldo deserves a spot, but what his role should be when World Cup matches are at their most decisive. Martinez stated: “Age is just a number. In the squad, we measure exactly what happens on the day and make decisions for the next day.”
Regarding how to deploy Ronaldo in matches that could go into extra time and penalties, Martinez argued that modern football has moved beyond the old emphasis on the starting lineup. “Now there are five substitutions. There is almost a starting XI and a finishing XI. There is no difference. There are different roles, and Cristiano always accepts his role.”
The question of whether Ronaldo would accept a lesser role has lingered since the 2022 World Cup, when coach Fernando Santos benched him against Switzerland. Martinez declined to directly compare tournaments but stressed: “All players are in the same space. When they play well and perform a role that helps the team win, they get more playing time. It’s that simple.”
Martinez noted that under his tenure, Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in 30 appearances — a better ratio than under any previous coach. He highlighted that Ronaldo’s value goes beyond goals: “He is excellent at moving, creating space, splitting centre‑backs. He is disciplined in the right positions, always executing attacking patterns and creating chances for teammates.”
On Ronaldo’s longevity, Martinez attributed it to a “brilliant brain” and a daily desire to improve. What surprised him most upon taking the job was not Ronaldo’s aura, but his hunger: “A man who has won everything has the hunger of someone who hasn’t won a trophy.”
Martinez acknowledged that external pressure will never disappear — every taxi driver has an opinion on Ronaldo, even if they have not watched him recently. But he insisted: “Players always stay on the pitch based on merit. And when the environment shows the opposite, that is natural selection.”
