After 23 years with the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo is still the undisputed main man heading into this summer’s World Cup.
CR7 will turn 41 next month and is expected to captain a much-fancied Portugal team in search of their first World Cup triumph. No longer the all-round attacking force that he once was, Ronaldo has stripped back his game to become a pure finisher.
Ronaldo is the record scorer in men’s international soccer and notched eight goals in nine Portugal games in 2025. Nevertheless, there are some who question his ability to lead the line for top national team. When pressed on the issue recently, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez admitted that Ronaldo’s place in the starting XI is not guaranteed.
Will Ronaldo play for Portugal at the World Cup?
Martinez sat down with ESPN to discuss preparations for the upcoming World Cup. He was specifically asked if he was willing to consider benching Portugal’s greatest-ever player.
In response, Martinez was insistent: “It’s part of my job. I’ve been in this position for three years now. The most important thing is that the team wins, that the team is stronger than the opponent. That’s my responsibility and also the coaching staff’s. Making difficult decisions is part of our job.”
“I don’t think I just arrived at the Portuguese national team today. I think it’s a very valid question for someone who just arrived at the national team, but we have the experience of the last three years and what’s important to me is the players’ attitude and creating a high-performance, but very competitive environment. And that’s what we have. For the captain and the other players, that’s what we’ve done in the last three years.”
Portugal enter this summer’s World Cup with a real shot at the title. They have been placed in a group with Colombia, Uzbekistan and the winners of an inter-confederation playoff. If Portugal are to progress deep in the tournament, Ronaldo’s goals will almost certainly have played a part.
Finakmory
40
I don't understand this silly obsession with Ronaldo. Messi is also already passed his prime but no journalist ever ask the Argentine coach if he could bench Messi. Why do these people always want to create division between Ronaldo and coaches?
Mipabcmrsz
9
I don't understand this silly obsession with Ronaldo. Messi is also already passed his prime but no journalist ever ask the Argentine coach if he could bench Messi. Why do these people always want to create division between Ronaldo and coaches?
coz this is 6-7 match tournament 🤣 and Ronaldo waiting for ball inside penalty box is not going to help them to win World Cup they need all 11 players to perform and one dead wood will mess everything
zimbcilprs
9
I don't understand this silly obsession with Ronaldo. Messi is also already passed his prime but no journalist ever ask the Argentine coach if he could bench Messi. Why do these people always want to create division between Ronaldo and coaches?
Messi still perfoms MVP. But your GOAT desappoints.