Cristiano Ronaldo's Role in Portugal's World Cup 2026 Journey

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, Portugal's manager Roberto Martinez underscores Cristiano Ronaldo's pivotal role in the national team. Despite being 40, Ronaldo's relentless drive and impressive performance in qualifiers have solidified his position. With FIFA lifting part of his suspension, he is set to play in the opening match. Martinez emphasizes the importance of experience, talent, and attitude in team selection, highlighting Ronaldo's contributions and the emergence of new talents in Portuguese football. This article explores Ronaldo's impact and the long-term vision for the national team.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 09:17 IST

Ronaldo's Importance to the National Team

Roberto Martinez, the manager of Portugal, emphasized that Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, continues to be a vital player for the national squad as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He described Ronaldo's relentless pursuit of excellence as 'contagious'. The Al Nassr forward has netted five goals in five appearances during the World Cup qualifiers, helping his team secure the top position in their group with four wins out of six matches. However, he missed the last qualifier due to a suspension following a red card in a 2-0 defeat against Ireland.

Ronaldo's Suspension and World Cup Participation

Initially, it was anticipated that Ronaldo would miss at least one match in the upcoming World Cup. Fortunately for him, FIFA decided to suspend the last two matches of his three-match ban, allowing him to participate in Portugal's Group K opener in Houston on June 17 next year.

The Three Key Factors for Selection

Martinez highlighted three essential criteria for player selection: experience, talent, and attitude. Despite turning 41 by the time the World Cup commences, Ronaldo appears to fulfill these criteria according to his coach. 'We constantly evaluate three pillars: talent, experience, and the attitude he brings to the national team,' Martinez stated in an interview.

He further noted, 'The high standards he sets for himself to contribute are what keep him on the roster. His desire to excel is infectious. Scoring 25 goals in 30 matches as a striker demonstrates his significant impact on the national team.'

Martinez's Vision for the Future

Since taking over from Fernando Santos in January 2023, Martinez has been focused on long-term strategies for the team. He remarked, 'I aim to make decisions that will benefit us for the next 20 years. It's a responsibility we hold. We've played 36 matches, achieving a commendable balance and consistency.'

He also stressed the importance of maintaining a stable team selection, stating, 'At the national level, we only have three days to prepare for a match. It’s impractical to change all 23 players in every squad, as it disrupts core concepts. We have retained experienced players who are passionate about representing the national team, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Neves, Ruben Dias, and Cristiano Ronaldo.'

Moreover, he acknowledged the emergence of new talents who are making their mark: 'Portugal's youth football is exceptional, producing 3-4 top-level players annually from a population of 11 million, setting an example for other nations.'