Recently, Portugal manager Roberto Martínez discussed Cristiano Ronaldo with Jamie Carragher during an appearance on Sky Sports. Martínez stated that Ronaldo starts because of his remarkable efficiency, adding that nothing is achieved without hard work.
Cristiano Ronaldo is now Portugal's leading figure, and at 40 years of age, would he still be a guaranteed starter for the national team regardless of his physical condition or the form of other players?
I believe everyone has their own perspective. What I observe is that when we win, and Ronaldo scores or nets a brace, the media ask, "What would you do without Ronaldo? The team relies too heavily on him..." If the team had a 40-year-old veteran like Ronaldo who wasn't scoring and the team couldn't win, that would be far easier for me to manage than the current situation. He plays because he's scored 25 goals in his last 30 matches – his efficiency is simply astonishing.
When he arrives at the national team training camp, he demonstrates exceptional professionalism. He places great emphasis on self-management, using every day to improve himself, and carries that sense of pride when representing his country. Ronaldo has made 226 appearances for Portugal – a record. We must judge him by what he has achieved. Nowadays, nothing comes for free. Every player has their peak period, but he has redefined sustained competitiveness through his actions.
What Ronaldo now brings to the national team extends far beyond goalscoring contributions. He is no longer the 18- or 19-year-old pacy winger we once witnessed; today, he functions more as the pivotal finishing point within the penalty area. Underpinning this is his unwavering competitive attitude and an intense desire to serve his country.
How much longer do you think Ronaldo's form can last?
I've always found this a fascinating topic. I've consistently believed a player's retirement is dictated by physical factors. Having watched Ronaldo play, I'm convinced it's his mind that determines the length of his career. His focus and mentality are what make his body adhere to his personal daily routine.
I firmly believe Ronaldo ranks among the greatest players in history, yet he may also be more susceptible to scrutiny than any footballer we've witnessed before. People question his abilities or certain on-field actions. A 40-year-old playing centre-forward for Portugal, now in the Saudi league – it seems he perpetually carries this mindset of proving himself to others?
Quite so, but I'd argue he does all this not for anyone else, but for himself. When analysing players, we often dissect every facet yet rarely scrutinise the trait of 'hunger' – he possesses the most intense desire to win I've witnessed in any footballer. Typically, a player's drive wanes the day after lifting a trophy, but not him; that hunger remains undiminished. I cannot say whether it is innate, but he possesses an intense desire not to disappoint himself or the very essence he represents.
During the last national team camp, we called up Carlos Forbes, born in 2004. It was precisely in 2004 that Cristiano Ronaldo made his international debut for the senior squad. This detail perfectly illustrates the continuity across generations. When a young player trains alongside such a legend and witnesses his career achievements firsthand, the inspiration is profound.