Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez said Cristiano Ronaldo will be selected for the 2026 World Cup based on current form rather than age.
The decision marks a pivotal moment for the Portuguese national team as they prepare for the tournament in June and July. The outcome will determine if the veteran captain can maintain a starting role or if the squad will pivot toward a younger generation of attackers.
Martínez said selection for the national team remains a meritocracy. He said, "Age is only a number. Cristiano Ronaldo will be judged on his current form and by the same standards as everyone else."
At 41 years old [1], Ronaldo remains the record scorer at the international level with 143 goals for Portugal [2]. Despite his historic scoring record, the coach intends to ensure that all players are held to the same performance benchmarks, regardless of their status or tenure.
There are varying reports regarding the total number of tournaments the striker has entered. Some sources indicate this will be his fifth World Cup [2], while others state it is his sixth and likely final appearance [3]. This tournament would be the first since he left Europe to play in Saudi Arabia [3].
Martínez has not yet finalized the roster, but the focus remains on readiness for the upcoming competition. The coach said the goal is to ensure the most effective lineup is fielded for the tournament.
“"Age is only a number."”
This approach by Martínez signals a shift toward a performance-first culture in the Portuguese camp, potentially reducing the influence of individual stardom over tactical necessity. By publicly tying Ronaldo's inclusion to current form, the coach manages expectations for both the player and the fans while justifying potential roster changes based on the physical demands of the modern game.
