Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo will earn his place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on merit rather than reputation.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo continues to dominate headlines across international football, but Martinez made it clear that the Portugal captain is judged by the same standards as every other player in the national setup. Speaking in Lisbon, the Spaniard explained that the focus remains entirely on current performances, training levels and tactical contribution rather than past achievements.
Martinez acknowledged Ronaldo’s legendary status in the game, but emphasized that Portugal are selecting players based on present-day form. According to the coach, the version of Ronaldo being evaluated is not the global icon who transformed football history, but the player competing to help Portugal succeed at the World Cup in North America.
The Portugal boss also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding Ronaldo’s role in the squad. Questions have continued to surface about whether the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star should remain an automatic starter.
He pointed to the importance of squad depth and in-game adjustments, arguing that teams now effectively operate with both a starting team and a finishing team because of the allowance of five substitutions. Martinez added that Ronaldo has consistently shown professionalism and willingness to adapt to whatever role benefits the national side most.
The discussion around Ronaldo’s role has lingered ever since the 2022 World Cup, when former Portugal coach Fernando Santos controversially dropped him to the bench during the knockout stages. Martinez avoided directly comparing the two situations, but maintained that every player in his squad earns opportunities through performances and tactical execution rather than status or reputation.
Martinez also highlighted Ronaldo’s impressive output under his management, revealing that the striker has scored 25 goals in 30 appearances for Portugal since his appointment. Beyond the numbers, the coach praised Ronaldo’s movement, positioning and intelligence, noting that his ability to create space for teammates remains one of the most valuable aspects of his game.
Despite constant public debate surrounding Ronaldo’s place in the national team, Martinez remains focused on what he sees on the pitch. He acknowledged that opinions about the superstar will always exist across Portugal, but insisted his responsibility is to evaluate performances objectively and select the players who give Portugal the best chance of success at the World Cup.
