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At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is about to play in his sixth FIFA World Cup as Portugal heads to North America for the 2026 tournament with one of its strongest squads ever.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is still the team’s captain and main leader under coach Roberto Martinez, even as people keep debating whether he helps or holds back the team.
Ronaldo is the top men’s international goalscorer with 143 goals, including 25 in 30 games under Martinez. The coach says Ronaldo deserves his spot, highlighting Portugal’s 2025 Nations League win as proof.
Ronaldo scored against Spain in the final, earning his third international trophy after Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League.
The team around Ronaldo is strong. Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United set a new Premier League assists record this season, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes are seen as some of the best in Europe. Still, some wonder if Portugal plays better when their captain is not on the field.
Fernandes spoke about this in December, telling Canal 11, "I know what people think, that it's clear we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are freer and more fluid. If that happens, it's partly our fault. We can't worry if Cristiano is on the pitch, because Cristiano can give us things."
PSG midfielder Vitinha shared a different opinion, telling FIFA it was "fantastic" to be in the same dressing room as Ronaldo. "He's one of the greatest players in history," Vitinha said. "I hope we can win the World Cup with him and for him as well."
Ronaldo’s spot on the team was uncertain for a short time after he got a red card for elbowing an opponent against Ireland in qualifying. But FIFA reduced his suspension, so he can play in the tournament’s first matches.
Portugal starts their Group K matches against DR Congo on June 17, then faces Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28.
Martinez said he is not worried about the schedule affecting his 41-year-old forward. In my experience, at a World Cup, a player doesn't follow the pattern of club form, age-related performance, or anything like that," the coach said.
Ronaldo is also close to a personal milestone: 1,000 career goals for club and country. He is now 17 goals away from that mark. His international career started in 2003 and has lasted over twenty years at the highest level.
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