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When Portugal kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday, June 17, Cristiano Ronaldo will be one of the first names on Roberto Martinez’s teamsheet.
This summer’s tournament in North America will be the former Real Madrid and Manchester United icon’s sixth World Cup and 12th major tournament, with the 41-year-old’s influence on the Portuguese side showing little sign of waning.
And according to Martinez, Ronaldo’s inclusion is not based on reputation and past glories, but on performances.
Martinez on Ronaldo’s place in his Portugal squad
“For us, Cristiano’s role is very specific and very clear,” Martinez insists to FourFourTwo. “He’s our primary goalscorer.
“He opens up space brilliantly with his movement inside the box – the timing, the positioning, the runs he makes across defenders are among the best in the world, even now.”
In conjunction with the physical attributes that have served Ronaldo so well for almost two and a half decades as a professional, Martinez believes that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s experience brings a fresh dimension to his game.
“He also brings experience in decisive moments that nobody else in the squad can match,” Martinez continues. “Because none have lived what he has in the number of decisive games he’s played over his career.
“Then there’s his attitude. His commitment to Portugal is total, absolute and strong even today – not historical. That’s why he remains our captain.
“He’s scored 25 goals in 30 matches under my management. The numbers make the argument for him. Our standard for selection is identical for every single player, and it’s very high. Cristiano meets it. He’s not in the squad because of what he was, but because his present form earns it every time.”
Ronaldo comes into the tournament having won 226 international caps, with his debut coming way back in 2002 - before current team-mates such as Joao Neves were born, something that has not escaped Martinez’s attention.
“It’s one of the most remarkable things about this group, and something that I find genuinely fascinating as a coach,” the former Everton and Belgium boss adds. “Cristiano Ronaldo has been wearing the shirt since 2003. There are players in our current squad who were born in 2004. That generational span is almost unprecedented in international football at this level.
“What’s wonderful is that the ball equalises everything. The ball doesn’t know about age gaps, eras or generations. The young player learns from the experienced one – not only technically or tactically, but in terms of how you carry yourself in the biggest moments, how you manage pressure, and how you approach the days before a decisive game.
“The experienced player finds new energy in the presence of the younger players who remind them of how it felt to be starting out.”
