At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal’s squad for the 2026 World Cup — his sixth appearance at the tournament. The journey to this point has been defined by heartbreak, controversy, and moments of brilliance, yet the ultimate prize has always remained just out of reach. Whether this final opportunity will end in triumph or further disappointment is the defining question hanging over the Seleccao heading into North America.
Qatar 2022: Heartbreak and Controversy
When the final whistle sounded at the Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022, Ronaldo was inconsolable. Portugal’s unexpected quarter-final defeat to Morocco hit him so hard that he couldn’t even acknowledge the supporters before leaving the pitch. Only the following day, through a social media post, did he find the words to articulate his grief.
“Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the greatest and most ambitious goal I ever set for myself,” he shared on Instagram. “Across five tournaments spanning 16 years, always alongside exceptional players and backed by millions of Portuguese fans, I gave absolutely everything I had.” He concluded by acknowledging that the dream, as he had known it, was over — though events would prove otherwise.
The tournament itself had been overshadowed by reports that Ronaldo privately threatened to leave the Portuguese camp after being dropped for the round-of-16 match against Switzerland. Fernando Santos’ side won that game 6-1, with Goncalo Ramos — his replacement — scoring a hat-trick. The contrast was impossible to ignore.
Roberto Martinez and the Euro 2024 Gamble
When Roberto Martinez was appointed as the new Portugal head coach in January 2023, he inherited a squad brimming with young talent and had every reason to begin a genuine transition. Instead, his first major decision was to travel to Saudi Arabia and persuade Ronaldo to continue as captain and lead the team through Euro 2024. It was a choice that would come back to haunt him.
Throughout the qualifying campaign, Ronaldo found the net regularly. But once the tournament began in Germany, his form collapsed entirely — he failed to score in any group stage match despite attempting more shots than any other outfield player. The situation grew increasingly uncomfortable as his fruitless pursuit of a goal began to undermine the team’s overall performance.
Martinez refused to drop him even for Portugal’s final, inconsequential group fixture, a decision widely criticised as placing one player’s personal ambitions above the collective interest. The result was a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Georgia, which only amplified the pressure on Ronaldo heading into the knockout rounds.
Frankfurt Breakdown and Shootout Redemption
The emotional dam finally broke during extra time in the last-16 clash with Slovenia in Frankfurt. Ronaldo — widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history — broke down in tears on the pitch during a competitive match. It was a sight that shocked observers worldwide. The weight of expectation had become unbearable for a man who had spent years carrying his teammates, only to find himself now relying on them.
Yet what followed was a testament to his character. Despite missing a penalty in normal time, he stepped up first in the shootout and converted. Portugal advanced, and Martinez focused his post-match comments on Ronaldo’s courage rather than the difficulties that had preceded it.
The National Debate: “More Portugal, Less Ronaldo”
Portugal’s quarter-final against France followed the same pattern — Ronaldo started up front, failed to score, and the team was eliminated on penalties by a French side that was far from its best. The question of whether it made sense to continue with both Martinez and Ronaldo became a matter of national debate. One widely shared headline captured the mood perfectly: “More Portugal, less Ronaldo!”
Even as the Seleccao put together a strong run in the 2024-25 Nations League, speculation persisted that the newly elected FPF president, Pedro Proenca, was considering replacing Martinez with Jose Mourinho following the finals in Germany.
Nations League Vindication
Ronaldo was openly critical of the constant speculation surrounding his coach, calling it disrespectful and insisting that Martinez had delivered outstanding results. He argued that the debate made no sense given the team’s positive trajectory, and that the coach’s commitment — learning the language, singing the anthem with genuine passion — deserved recognition rather than scrutiny.
He then backed up his words on the pitch. Ronaldo scored the decisive goal in the Nations League semi-final against Germany, then struck again in the final against Spain, which Portugal ultimately won on penalties. Martinez had staked his reputation on Ronaldo, and the bet eventually paid off — though doubts about the long-term wisdom of that reliance have not disappeared.
Physical Decline and Tactical Limitations
Martinez has stated publicly that he sees no evidence of a drop in Ronaldo’s level since the move to Al-Nassr in January 2023. But this assessment somewhat misses the broader picture. The physical deterioration had already begun well before the Saudi chapter — a natural consequence of age, not a criticism of the player’s dedication.
What makes Ronaldo an anomaly in the contemporary game is his near-total absence of pressing. Very few strikers operating at the elite level do as little defensive work, and there is a legitimate case to be made that a more mobile forward would serve Portugal better. This argument gained weight when the Seleccao produced their most dominant World Cup qualifying display — a 9-1 demolition of Armenia — with Ramos leading the attack in Ronaldo’s absence due to suspension.
Temperament Concerns Heading into North America
Ronaldo has always been competitive to the point of volatility, but his emotional responses have grown more pronounced with age. During his time at Al-Nassr, there were multiple incidents of on-pitch outbursts, and he reportedly went on strike at one point, convinced that the Saudi Pro League was acting against his club’s interests. These episodes only reinforced the perception that he still struggles to accept adversity — a concern for Portugal supporters heading into the tournament.
Most significantly, he received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Dara O’Shea in a qualifying defeat to Ireland last November. Under normal circumstances, a three-match ban would have ruled him out of Portugal’s opening group games. However, FIFA took the unusual step of suspending the second and third matches of the ban, leaving him available to face both DR Congo and Uzbekistan. The concern remains that his desperation to perform could become a liability when the knockout pressure intensifies.
The Final Stage: Legacy on the Line
No external pressure compares to what Ronaldo places on himself. He is driven by an obsessive need to win, and the 2026 World Cup represents his last realistic opportunity to leave a defining mark on the most prestigious competition in football. Rumours of a desire to play alongside his son, Cristiano Jr, at the 2030 tournament are unlikely to materialise.
The statistical reality is stark: despite five previous World Cup appearances, Ronaldo has reached only one semi-final and has never scored in the knockout stage. His legacy at the tournament remains incomplete, and the burden of that fact will weigh heavily throughout the competition.
What works in his favour is the quality of the squad around him. Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes form arguably the finest midfield combination in world football. Ruben Dias anchors an excellent defence, with Nuno Mendes providing quality at left-back. Bernardo Silva adds experience and creativity in attack, even if questions remain over whether Joao Felix and Rafael Leao will ever fully deliver on their potential.
Ronaldo has been selected because he continues to score — in qualifying, in the Nations League, and in the Saudi Pro League. The challenge now is to prove that those goals can translate to the highest stage at 41. Equally important is emotional control: Portugal need their captain composed and focused when the stakes are at their highest, not consumed by personal frustration.
His teammates have spoken of their collective desire to win the World Cup with him and for him — Vitinha among those to express it publicly. That unity is a genuine asset. Whether it is enough to finally deliver the trophy that has eluded Ronaldo throughout his career is another matter entirely. One thing, however, seems certain: however this story ends, there will be tears.
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