A photo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Martinez
Head coach Roberto Martinez, has responded to critics over Cristiano Ronaldo’s age and importance to Portuguese national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Roberto Martinez, Cristiano Ronaldo is playing regularly in the Portuguese national team despite his age because he is the best striker they have in the team.
Speaking on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, Martinez maintained that he has no logically reason not to play a play who has scored 25 goals in 30 games for his club.
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“When we win & Ronaldo scores, the question is ‘What are you going to do when Cristiano isn’t there? The team depend on him too much.”
“When Cristiano doesn’t score, it’s ‘How you gonna win with a 40 year old? For us it’s easy: He plays because he has 25 goals in 30 games,” Roberto Martinez said on Sky Sports.
Portugal secured their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico after beating Armenia 9-1 on November 16, 2025.
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