Roberto Martinez Suggests Cristiano Ronaldo Will Not Be Undroppable at the 2026 World Cup

Portugal Boss Ready to Make ‘Difficult Decisions’ as Cristiano Ronaldo Eyes One Last Shot at Glory

Cristiano Ronaldo and the World Cup have always had a complicated relationship. Individual brilliance, iconic goals, unforgettable moments – yes. The one prize that still eludes him? Also yes. And as Portugal begin to shape their plans for the 2026 World Cup, their head coach Roberto Martinez has made it clear that sentiment alone will not dictate selection.

Ronaldo may still be captain. He may still be the most famous footballer on the planet. He may still be breaking records well into his forties. But if standards drop, Martinez has hinted that even Cristiano Ronaldo will not be undroppable.

It is a statement that carries weight, not because it disrespects a legend, but because it underlines the reality of elite international football heading into a World Cup cycle that could define Portugal’s modern era.

Cristiano Ronaldo and the 2026 World Cup Dream

By the time the 2026 World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, Cristiano Ronaldo will be 41 years old. That fact alone would usually rule out any outfield player from serious contention at the highest level. Ronaldo, of course, has never followed the usual rules.

He arrives at this stage with 143 international goals from 226 caps, numbers that border on the absurd. He remains Portugal’s captain, its reference point, and its most recognisable figure. And perhaps most importantly, he remains obsessed with winning.

There is no hiding the motivation. Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, completing a legacy-defining journey. Ronaldo watched on, congratulated his great rival publicly, and quietly added another target to his ever-growing list.

Portugal’s mission in 2026 is clear. Ronaldo’s role in that mission, however, is no longer guaranteed by reputation alone.

Lessons from Euro 2024 Still Linger

The conversation around Ronaldo’s place did not start overnight. It has been bubbling since Euro 2024, when his performances were heavily scrutinised. While his influence off the pitch remained undeniable, questions were asked about his effectiveness within Portugal’s attacking structure.

Ronaldo did not score from open play during the tournament. He remained involved, emotional, driven – but the debate was unavoidable. Should Portugal continue to build everything around him, or was it time to evolve?

Martinez stuck by his captain then, and Ronaldo responded in familiar fashion: by refusing to walk away, refusing to sulk, and continuing to deliver goals in qualifying and competitive fixtures.

Still, the message from the coach now is more nuanced.

Cristiano Ronaldo

What Makes Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Special’? Martinez Explains

Speaking to ESPN, Roberto Martinez offered a detailed, thoughtful breakdown of what Ronaldo now brings to the national team – and how that version differs from the winger who first pulled on a Portugal shirt more than two decades ago.

“We need to accept that everyone in the world knows Cristiano Ronaldo and has an opinion,” Martinez said. “But the Cristiano Ronaldo who joined the national team 21 years ago is not the same Cristiano he is now.”

That evolution is central to Martinez’s thinking.

“Now, he’s much more of a positional player, a striker. For us, he is a finisher. He’s the all-time leading scorer,” he continued. “Having a player who now has 25 goals in the last 30 games for the national team is a gift.”

The emphasis, crucially, is on the present.

“It’s about the present; we’re not talking about what he did 10 years ago,” Martinez added.

Roberto Martinez Profile

Leadership, Commitment and the Locker Room Effect

Beyond goals, Martinez repeatedly returned to Ronaldo’s commitment. At international level, where preparation time is limited and cohesion is everything, attitude can be as valuable as talent.

“He’s the only player in the world with more than 220 international caps,” Martinez pointed out. “With Cristiano Ronaldo’s experience, having the commitment he has – he’s an example. He inspires the locker room.”

That influence is not abstract. Younger players entering the Portugal setup are immediately exposed to Ronaldo’s standards: training intensity, recovery habits, obsession with detail.

For Martinez, that alone justifies Ronaldo’s presence.

“A flaw? A player’s flaw, in general, is when there’s a lack of commitment or attitude,” he said. “A player without commitment isn’t called up to the national team.”

It was a subtle but important line. Ronaldo’s place is earned, not gifted.

Still Driven, Still Improving

If there is one thing that continues to define Ronaldo in his forties, it is his refusal to accept decline as inevitable. His numbers with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League remain impressive, and his physical condition continues to defy conventional logic.

Martinez addressed that directly.

“I think it’s his focus that allows him to improve,” he said. “Even now, he’s showing that age is just a number. Every day is an opportunity for him to add something to the national team.”

Importantly, Martinez stressed that Ronaldo is evaluated like everyone else.

“We evaluate all the players every day. Our evaluation of our captain is the same as any other player,” he said. “And he manages to be at a level that makes him deserve to be called up.”

That sentence may be the most telling of all.

Cristiano Ronaldo Will Not Be Undroppable

For all the praise, Martinez was careful not to offer guarantees. The Portugal boss was blunt when discussing selection decisions at the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s part of my job,” he said. “The most important thing is that the team wins. Making difficult decisions is part of our responsibility.”

There was no attempt to soften the message. If Ronaldo’s performances no longer justify a starting role, Martinez is prepared to act.

“This isn’t my first day with the Portuguese national team,” he explained. “We’ve built a high-performance, competitive environment over the last three years. That applies to the captain as much as anyone else.”

In other words: Cristiano Ronaldo will not be undroppable.

How Portugal Might Use Ronaldo in 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 2025

That does not mean Ronaldo will be sidelined. Far from it. Martinez was clear about how Portugal intend to use his strengths.

Inside the penalty area, Ronaldo remains lethal. His movement, timing and anticipation still demand multiple defenders, creating space for others. In tournament football, those margins matter.

“He’s a penalty-area player,” Martinez said. “That’s where we need to utilise his strengths.”

Whether that means starting every game, rotating minutes, or using him as a decisive late-game weapon remains to be seen. But the days of building the entire system around him may be over.

Portugal’s 2026 World Cup Group

Portugal have been drawn into Group K at the 2026 World Cup. Their campaign will begin on June 17 at NRG Stadium in Houston against the winners of an inter-confederation play-off.

They will then face Uzbekistan in Texas before finishing the group stage against Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

It is a group that demands balance, intensity and tactical flexibility. Martinez knows that sentiment cannot outweigh performance in such an environment.

A Legacy Still Being Written

Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career is already unmatched. More caps, more goals, more tournaments than any player in history. Yet, remarkably, the final chapter is still unwritten.

The 2026 World Cup could be his farewell. Or it could be another reminder that he remains relevant when few believe it possible.

Roberto Martinez’s message is clear: Ronaldo is respected, trusted, and valued – but not protected.

And perhaps, deep down, that is exactly how Cristiano Ronaldo wants it.

Because if there is one thing he has never needed, it is charity.