Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has expressed optimism that Cristiano Ronaldo can play beyond the 2026 World Cup.
In a chat with the Guardian, Martinez maintains that Ronaldo earns his place through consistent performance rather than reputation.
“I have always believed that it is the body that decides when a player retires, but in reality it is about the head. Cristiano has not yet made that decision, even though he is 40 or 41 years old.
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“At this level it is not mainly about talent, but about mentality and the ability to withstand adversity.”
He also emphasizes that many people make the mistake of judging Ronaldo based on earlier periods in his career.
“The biggest mistake is not judging him based on how he plays today. After the European Championship, it was said that Portugal didn’t win because Cristiano played. When we then win the Nations League, the discussion is instead about what Portugal will do when Ronaldo retires.”
