Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has insisted that age is irrelevant when assessing Cristiano Ronaldo's place in the squad for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking in Lisbon on Thursday, Martinez emphasised that the 41-year-old captain is judged purely on current form and merit, not his past achievements.
"We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure," Martinez told Reuters. He stressed that every player, including Ronaldo, is evaluated on training performance and contribution to the team, with decisions made on a day-to-day basis.
Martinez dismissed concerns over Ronaldo's willingness to accept a reduced role, noting that modern football's five-substitution rule has blurred the distinction between starters and finishers. "There are different roles and Cristiano has always accepted his role," he said.
Under Martinez, Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in 30 appearances—a better ratio than under any previous Portugal coach. Martinez highlighted Ronaldo's tactical value beyond scoring, including his movement to create space for teammates. "He is fantastic at those movements, those runs, opening spaces," Martinez added.
Martinez attributed Ronaldo's longevity to his elite mentality and hunger for success. "Somebody that has won everything has the hunger of somebody that hasn't won a trophy yet," he remarked. The coach concluded that public opinion will always surround Ronaldo, but his selection is based solely on evidence and merit.
