News Focus
- Cristiano Ronaldo is set to appear at a record sixth World Cup finals this summer
- Portugal achieved their two biggest victories under Roberto Martinez when Ronaldo was unavailable
- The 41-year-old striker has netted 25 times in his last 31 international appearances
- Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 tournament will mark his farewell from international football
Twenty years have passed since a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo first wore the Portugal shirt. That August evening in 2003 brought a modest 1-0 victory against Kazakhstan in front of just 8,000 supporters. The pitch was in such poor condition that ground staff had to paint the grass green. Yet that match in the northern town of Chaves started a journey that would change Portuguese football forever.
Today, the boy from Madeira stands as the highest scorer in international football history with 143 goals. At 41 years of age, he prepares to break new ground by competing in his sixth World Cup. Only Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa have matched this feat.
Ronaldo has transformed how Portugal views itself on the world stage. “We are a small nation that rarely makes global headlines outside football,” explained Joao Aroso, who coached the forward at both Sporting Lisbon and with the national team. “Cristiano puts us on the map for something truly special.”
However, not everyone believes the veteran striker still deserves his place in the starting eleven. Antonio Simoes, who helped Portugal finish third at the 1966 World Cup, recently offered harsh criticism. “He plays to be the star, not to help the team win,” Simoes stated. “This is completely different from Eusebio’s approach.”
Current manager Roberto Martinez strongly disagrees. The Spanish coach, who took charge in 2023 after leaving Belgium, describes the debate as mere “lift talk.” Martinez points to Ronaldo’s impressive record of 25 goals in 31 matches under his management. “We are discussing the greatest player ever,” Martinez said. “He is here because he still performs at the highest level, not because of past achievements.”
The statistics tell a more complex story. Portugal recorded their largest victory under Martinez, a 9-0 defeat of Luxembourg, when Ronaldo was not playing. Their second-biggest win, 9-1 against Armenia, also came without their captain. These results have fuelled discussion about whether the team functions more smoothly without its most famous player.
Television pundit Sofia Oliveira believes Ronaldo lacks the quality to start for a World Cup-winning side. “It is simple to say he should not start now,” she commented. “The problem is that the team has not prepared for this scenario.”
Previous manager Fernando Santos discovered the dangers of dropping Ronaldo the hard way. After benching the superstar during the 2022 World Cup, Santos faced intense criticism from Ronaldo’s family on social media and lost his job shortly afterwards.
Former international Abel Xavier supports keeping Ronaldo in the squad. “He understands crucial moments better than almost anyone,” Xavier said. “Young players look up to him. He always contributes something valuable.” Former goalkeeper Ricardo, who played alongside Ronaldo in 2003, agrees. “He may run at 195km/h instead of 200km/h now,” Ricardo joked. “That is still incredibly fast. Danger always follows him.”
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) faces delicate questions about its relationship with their captain. In February, the FPF announced a partnership with AVA CR7, a physical recovery company owned by Ronaldo. The federation insists Ronaldo played no part in negotiations and denies any conflict of interest.
With record revenues of €161 million projected for 2026-27, the FPF claims it is ready for life after Ronaldo. “The two brands overlap – Cristiano Ronaldo and Portuguese football,” admitted FPF president Pedro Proenca. “But we have prepared for the future. His departure will happen naturally.”
Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo on 17 June. Whether Ronaldo starts or sits on the bench, this tournament will mark the end of an era for one of football’s greatest icons.