Why Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal role remains biggest World Cup debate
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Portugal enter the 2026 World Cup among the leading favourites.
- Ronaldo's role remains the biggest talking point in the squad.
- Roberto MartÃnez faces a crucial selection dilemma.
Fresh from lifting the 2025 Nations League trophy after defeating Spain, Roberto MartÃnez's side head into the tournament with one of the strongest squads in international football.
Across defence, midfield and attack, Portugal possess a depth of talent that few nations can match.
Yet despite the excitement surrounding a golden generation of players, one question continues to dominate discussion across Portuguese football:
Will Cristiano Ronaldo help deliver Portugal's first World Cup triumph, or could his presence ultimately hold them back?
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Portugal's golden generation ready to compete
Portugal's squad is packed with elite-level talent.At the back, João Cancelo, Rúben Dias and Nuno Mendes provide experience, leadership and quality.
In midfield, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes remain the creative heartbeat of the team, whilst Paris Saint-Germain stars Vitinha and João Neves arrive in outstanding form after another successful club campaign.
Further forward, Portugal boast an impressive range of attacking options including Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, João Félix and Francisco Conceição.
On paper, MartÃnez has assembled one of the most balanced and technically gifted squads at the tournament.
Many observers believe this could be Portugal's best opportunity yet to finally lift the World Cup.
The Ronaldo question refuses to go away
However, as Portugal prepare to begin their campaign, attention remains fixed on Cristiano Ronaldo.Now 41 and preparing for what he has confirmed will be his final World Cup, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to divide opinion.
Supporters point to his remarkable international record. Under MartÃnez, Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in his last 31 appearances for Portugal, statistics that continue to justify his place in the squad.
The Portugal boss has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that Ronaldo should be dropped.
We are talking about the greatest player of all time.Yet critics argue that statistics do not tell the full story.
He is here because he is still performing at a very high level, not because of what he achieved in the past.
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The debate resurfaced following Portugal's recent friendly against Chile.During the first half, Portugal's attack often appeared predictable and slow, with Ronaldo frequently acting as the focal point.
After he was substituted, however, the team's attacking play became noticeably more fluid.
Gonçalo Guedes opened the scoring shortly after coming on, whilst Portugal created chances more freely and moved the ball with greater speed and variety.
It was not the first time such observations have been made.
Under MartÃnez, Portugal's two biggest victories have both come without Ronaldo on the pitch.
A 9-0 win over Luxembourg in 2023 and a 9-1 victory against Armenia last year reignited discussions about whether the national team functions more effectively when responsibility is shared across the entire attacking unit.
Critics argue that Portugal occasionally become too focused on finding Ronaldo, reducing the influence of other creative players such as Fernandes, Silva and Leão.
When the attack is distributed more evenly, they say, Portugal become less predictable and far more difficult to defend against.
Experience versus evolution
Former Portugal international Abel Xavier believes Ronaldo's value extends far beyond goals.Cristiano understands the big moments better than almost anyone in football. That experience can be decisive in a World Cup.Portugal goalkeeping coach Ricardo echoed those sentiments, insisting that whilst Ronaldo may have lost a fraction of his pace, his technical quality, mentality and instinct remain world class.
For many within Portuguese football, Ronaldo's leadership and winning mentality remain priceless assets.
His presence alone can influence opponents and inspire younger teammates.
The challenge for MartÃnez is finding the right balance.
MartÃnez faces his biggest decision
Few coaches have faced a dilemma quite like this.Dropping Ronaldo would be one of the boldest decisions in modern international football.
Former Portugal head coach Fernando Santos experienced fierce criticism after benching him during the 2022 World Cup, a controversy that overshadowed Portugal's tournament.
MartÃnez now finds himself confronting a similar question.
Should he continue building the team around one of football's greatest-ever players, or should Portugal's extraordinary depth be allowed to flourish without a fixed focal point?
The answer may determine how far Portugal go this summer.
One final opportunity
For Ronaldo, the 2026 World Cup represents the final chapter of an extraordinary international career spanning more than two decades.He has scored in five different World Cups, won the European Championship and Nations League, and established himself as Portugal's greatest-ever player.
The one achievement still missing is a World Cup trophy.
Portugal possess the talent to challenge for it. Whether Ronaldo remains the key to unlocking that dream - or becomes the biggest tactical dilemma facing MartÃnez - will be one of the defining stories of the tournament.
Either way, as Portugal prepare for another World Cup campaign, Ronaldo remains exactly where he has been for most of the last 20 years: at the centre of the conversation.
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