Portugal face Ronaldo legacy questions ahead of 2026 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for his sixth World Cup with Portugal amid debates over his future role and the team's readiness for life after him.

A modest start to a legendary journey The match against Kazakhstan in Chaves might have been forgettable for most. Played early in the season, the game attracted just 8,000 fans to a stadium with artificial turf so worn that grass paint was used to cover bare patches. Yet this 1-0 victory on 20 August 2003 marked the beginning of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career with Portugal. At the time, few could have imagined the 18-year-old from Madeira would later represent his country at five World Cups, let alone become the first player to reach six tournaments by 2026 alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa. Now at 41, Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals ever scored with 143, reshaping Portuguese football’s identity, mentality, and global perception. ## Ronaldo’s impact beyond the pitch Joao Aroso, who coached Ronaldo at Sporting and the national team, emphasized how the forward elevated Portugal’s global standing. 'We are a small country that rarely has global impact outside football,' Aroso noted. 'Cristiano allows our small country to be known worldwide for something great - because of all the positive things he stands for.' Despite his age, Ronaldo’s presence remains untouchable heading into this World Cup, though domestic scrutiny over his role has grown since the 2022 tournament in Qatar. For years, questioning his place felt like betrayal, but opinions have shifted. ## Debating Ronaldo’s role and legacy Antonio Simoes, a 1966 World Cup bronze medalist, offered a blunt assessment of Ronaldo’s approach. 'He doesn't play to win, he plays to be the main figure,' Simoes argued. 'Do you understand that it's the opposite of Eusebio? Let's call things by their name.' The debate intensified after Portugal’s 9-0 and 9-1 thrashings of Luxembourg and Armenia respectively in 2023 without Ronaldo, sparking renewed speculation about whether the team functions better without him. Sofia Oliveira, a prominent analyst for networks like CNN Portugal and DAZN, stated, 'He doesn't have the football any more to be a starter for a side that wants to win the World Cup.' ## Coach Martinez stands by Ronaldo Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s current coach, dismissed external criticism as mere speculation. He consistently pointed to Ronaldo’s recent performances, highlighting 25 goals in his last 31 appearances for the national team. 'We are talking about the greatest player of all time. He is here because he is still performing at a very high level, not because of what he achieved in the past,' Martinez insisted. Ronaldo has scored in each of his five previous World Cups and now aims to surpass Eusebio’s Portuguese record of eight goals at the tournament, while helping Portugal win its first World Cup title. ## The value of experience over athleticism Former Portugal internationals Abel Xavier and Ricardo both defended Ronaldo’s continued inclusion, stressing the intangibles he brings. 'Cristiano understands the big moments better than almost anyone in football,' Xavier said. 'That experience can be decisive in a World Cup. His presence is very important.. the younger players look up to him and he always gives something to the team.' Ricardo, who witnessed Ronaldo’s debut in 2003 and now serves on the coaching staff, added, 'The speed may no longer be quite the same.. Instead of running at 200km/h, he is running at 195km/h now. It is still incredibly high. As long as the physical, technical and mental qualities are still there, he remains a devastating force. With him, danger is never far away.' ## Handling an icon and the post-Ronaldo era Fernando Santos learned the challenges of managing Ronaldo firsthand after benching him at the 2022 World Cup, an action that triggered fierce backlash and ultimately led to his departure. Roberto Martinez admitted he would not fear a similar reaction if he made a similar decision this summer. The Portuguese Football Federation’s president, Pedro Proenca, addressed concerns about Ronaldo’s influence over coaching choices, denying any such interference. 'The two brands overlap - Cristiano Ronaldo and the FPF.. I have to be honest and sincere about that,' Proenca said. 'What I can guarantee is that the federation's operating revenues are secure for the continuity of a cycle that will happen naturally and normally, which is Cristiano's departure.' ## Institutional support and growing readiness In February, the FPF announced a partnership with AVA CR7, Ronaldo’s personal recovery company, which drew attention but was later clarified as compliant with regulations. The federation stated, 'Cristiano Ronaldo was never involved in the negotiations, nor was he a subject of those negotiations, with the entire process having been conducted exclusively with AVA's management team.' The FPF also approved a record €161m budget for 2026-27, marking 13 consecutive profitable years, signaling financial stability even as the nation prepares for life after its most famous footballer. Proenca emphasized, 'The FPF is preparing for this moment without dramatising it.. Cristiano will always be intrinsically linked not to the federation, but to Portugal as a country.'