Portugal 2026: Ronaldo back in the spotlight once again

Portugal, favorite within reach for the 2026 World Cup, faces the same questions as in 2022: should Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, still be fielded?

The question resurfaced forcefully after Ronaldo’s lackluster performance in Portugal’s 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday. The national team captain, who made several technical missteps, reignited the debate over his inclusion in the starting lineup for major international tournaments. A topic that has been stirring observers for four years, as current manager Roberto Martinez has, word for word, adopted the same choices as his predecessor Fernando Santos at the Qatar World Cup. In 2022, Santos ultimately benched Ronaldo after the group stage—a decision that surprised many but was based on objective assessments: the player, then 37, seemed out of rhythm. Yet four years later, nothing has changed. Martinez, who replaced Santos in 2023, has kept Ronaldo in the squad despite his move to Saudi Arabia and Al Nassr following a contentious departure from Manchester United. A transfer that was supposed to mark the end of an era, but only deferred the problem.

Statistics that divide

Roberto Martinez fully stands by his decision. When asked about Ronaldo’s ability to play consecutive matches at this level, the Spanish coach fired back with a sharp question: “Do you know how many minutes Cristiano played last season with Al Nassr?” When the answer—“every match as a starter”—was given, Martinez concluded: “You’ve answered your own question.” The coach relies on impressive figures: 25 goals in 30 appearances for Portugal since 2022, including a victory in the 2024-25 Nations League where he was the top scorer. At club level, his performances in Saudi Arabia are equally telling: 30 goals in 37 matches last season and 35 in 41 the season before. Yet his critics point to the relative weakness of the Saudi Pro League compared to European leagues. And above all, his lack of goals in open play since June 2021 in major competitions. Martinez dismisses these arguments outright: “There’s no sense in benching the world’s top scorer in a match where the team needs goals.” A stance that doesn’t convince all observers, as seen with Thierry Henry, who took Ronaldo to task after the DR Congo game: “The team needs to score, not you.” Paul Scholes, Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate, was even more blunt: “At 41, there’s only one place he should start: in goal.” Despite the controversies, Portugal presents a united front. Diogo Dalot, the team's right-back, spoke about a specific preparation before the World Cup to absorb the criticism: "With a player like Cristiano, you have to be ready, more than usual. We knew this would happen, and it's positive that it came early. The sooner these difficulties arise, the sooner we overcome them." The danger, for a team considered one of the most talented in the tournament, is that the debate around Ronaldo becomes a permanent distraction. Martinez, aware of the risk, fully embraces his role as a shield against the media's repetitive questions. "I know that every time I sit down for a press conference, I'll be asked about Cristiano," he admitted, while displaying his usual smile despite the weariness. Portugal faces Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston, hoping to see Ronaldo break a ten-game scoreless streak in major competitions. If the result doesn't come, the pressure on his place in the starting lineup will only intensify.