3 min learnUp to date: Jun 10, 2026 06:47 PM IST
Portugal nationwide soccer workforce head coach Roberto Martínez charges Cristiano Ronaldo, one of many biggest gamers of this technology and a bona fide Portuguese legend, very extremely. The 41-year-old will characteristic in his sixth World Cup this time with Martínez by his facet as they chase the shared dream of profitable Portugal’s maiden World Cup title.
The Spaniard couldn’t cease singing praises for Ronaldo, whom he believes will probably be an influential determine as soon as once more for the Portuguese facet on the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
“Keep in mind, Portugal has been to seven consecutive World Cups, now 9 in complete, since Cristiano Ronaldo arrived within the nationwide workforce,” Martínez advised The Athletic. “He has given unbelievable continuity in qualifying for the massive tournaments.”
Martínez mentioned Ronaldo is a singular footballer who has modified the sport of soccer.
“A singular footballer that has modified the sport. His dedication to the sport remains to be an instance for a lot of younger gamers. Twenty one years of service to the nationwide workforce, 227 video games for the nationwide workforce. No different participant has accomplished that. The variety of objectives. All these figures make Cristiano Ronaldo iconic,” he mentioned.
Martínez believes Ronaldo nonetheless poses the specter of previous. “The affect of Cristiano Ronaldo as a quantity 9, the motion, the timing of the motion, the ending, the way in which he opens areas, the way in which that he can affect the defensive again line of the opposition, that could be a massive, massive energy.”
Ronaldo has represented Portugal on the FIFA World Cups of 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026, making him one of many few gamers in historical past to look in six editions of the event. Nevertheless, the coach mentioned that when Ronaldo joined the nationwide workforce for what might lastly be his final World Cup, his perspective was nonetheless as contemporary as a young person.
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“His perspective is as contemporary as an 18 yr previous that’s enjoying for the nationwide workforce for the primary time,” Martínez advised The Athletic.
Martínez, who changed Fernando Santos three and a half years in the past, mentioned: “Cristiano can’t be changed.”
“Like for like, it’s inconceivable. However like something, you want to discover options, and you want to discover alternative ways to have an attacking workforce that may produce the identical variety of objectives. Cristiano’s numbers can’t be replicated by a person substitution. It’s inconceivable,” he added.