As the 2026 World Cup in North America approaches, the conversation surrounding the Portugal national team has shifted from whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be present to how he will be utilized. At 41, Ronaldo is staring down the possibility of appearing in a sixth consecutive tournament, a feat that would further cement his status as one of the most durable athletes in the history of professional sports.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has moved to quell speculation regarding the captain’s status, asserting that Ronaldo is judged on form not age for Portugal as the squad prepares for the summer kickoff. Speaking in Lisbon, Martinez emphasized that the selection process remains strictly meritocratic, regardless of the player’s legendary status or the number of years on his passport.
The debate within Portuguese football is no longer centered on Ronaldo’s right to be in the squad—given his record as the all-time leading international goalscorer with 143 goals—but rather on the tactical nuances of his role. In a tournament where margins are razor-thin, the balance between honoring a captain and optimizing a lineup is a delicate one.
Merit Over Myth
Martinez has been clear that his management style distinguishes between the global celebrity and the athlete on the training pitch. The coach insisted that the team is not merely carrying a monument to past achievements, but is instead focusing on the current output of the player.
“We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure,” Martinez said. He added that in the high-pressure environment of a national team, decisions are made based on immediate evidence: “Age is only a number. In the national team, People can measure exactly what’s happening on the day, and you make the decisions for the next day. You never look any longer than the next day.”
This approach marks a departure from the narrative of “protected status” that often follows aging superstars. By treating Ronaldo as any other player in the pool, Martinez aims to remove the emotional weight of the decision-making process, ensuring that the final roster is built for victory rather than legacy.
The ‘Finishing Team’ Strategy
One of the most significant tactical shifts in modern football is the expansion of substitutions, a factor Martinez believes changes the way a veteran like Ronaldo should be viewed. With five substitutions now permitted, the traditional distinction between the starting XI and the bench has blurred.
Martinez described a new philosophy where the squad is divided into a starting team and a finishing team, suggesting that coming off the bench does not equate to a loss of status. “Now we’ve got five substitutions. It’s almost like we’ve got a starting team and a finishing team. There is no distinction,” Martinez said. “There are different roles, and Cristiano has always accepted his role.”
This perspective addresses a lingering tension that dates back to the 2022 World Cup, where then-coach Fernando Santos benched Ronaldo in a pivotal match against Switzerland. While Martinez declined to draw direct parallels to that tournament, he stressed that current form and tactical context are the only metrics that matter. For the FIFA World Cup, he argues that the ability to influence a game in the final 30 minutes is as valuable as starting from the first whistle.
| Metric | Detail/Stat |
|---|---|
| International Goals | 143 (World Record) |
| Goals under Martinez | 25 in 30 appearances |
| World Cup Experience | Potential 6th Tournament |
| Current Age | 41 |
The ‘Elite Brain’ and Tactical Value
Beyond the raw numbers, Martinez pointed to the intangible contributions Ronaldo brings to the pitch. While the world focuses on his scoring, the coach highlighted his ability to manipulate defensive lines and create opportunities for younger teammates.
According to Martinez, Ronaldo remains a threat not just through finishing, but through his disciplined movement. “He is fantastic at those movements, those runs, opening spaces, splitting centre halves,” Martinez said. He noted that this discipline allows other players to find space, making Ronaldo a tactical asset regardless of whether he is the one scoring.
The coach attributed this longevity to what he calls an “elite brain”—a combination of physical maintenance and a psychological hunger that has not diminished over two decades. Martinez admitted that the most surprising element of working with Ronaldo was not his aura, but his appetite for improvement. “Somebody that has won everything has the hunger of somebody that hasn’t won a trophy yet,” Martinez said.
Managing the External Noise
The scrutiny surrounding Ronaldo is perhaps unmatched in the history of the UEFA member nations. Martinez acknowledged that the public discourse is often detached from the reality of the training ground, noting that “every taxi driver” has an opinion on the captain’s role.
However, the coach maintains that the dressing room environment is insulated from this noise. He described Ronaldo as a vital figure in the locker room, serving as a captain who embodies the meaning of representing the national team. By focusing on data, attitude, and tactical fit, Martinez believes the selection process remains objective.
“The players are always on the pitch on merit,” Martinez said. “And when the environment shows you otherwise, it’s a natural selection.”
As Portugal finalizes its preparations for the North American tournament, the focus remains on the synergy between the veteran leadership of Ronaldo and the emerging talent of a new generation. The team’s success will likely depend on whether this “starting and finishing” philosophy can be executed under the intense pressure of the world stage.
The next major checkpoint for the squad will be the final roster announcement and the subsequent warm-up fixtures scheduled in the coming weeks leading up to the opening match.
What do you think about Ronaldo’s role in the 2026 squad? Should he start every game or be used as a “finisher”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
