Cristiano Ronaldo is going to his sixth World Cup. Let that sink in. Six. He was at Germany 2006 as a 21 year old full of energy and potential. He will be at USA, Canada and Mexico 2026 as a 41 year old playing his football in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr. Nobody in history has done what he is about to do and you have to respect that even if everything else about it makes you uncomfortable.
Because here is the honest truth. Portugal have a squad that does not need to be built around Cristiano Ronaldo anymore. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Rafael Leao, Joao Neves. These are world class players in the prime of their careers. Portugal could go to this World Cup and genuinely threaten to win it if Martinez is allowed to set the team up properly without the obligation to accommodate a 41 year old whose best football is behind him.
Ronaldo scored goals in Saudi Arabia this season. He is not finished as a footballer in the same way a Sunday league player is finished. But Saudi Arabia is not the Champions League. It is not even close. The pace, the pressing, the intensity of a World Cup knockout game is a completely different animal and at 41 the legs do not lie.
The argument for including him is real though. Leadership. Experience. Set pieces. Penalties. The ability to produce one moment of quality in a big game that wins you the match. Nobody in history has scored more goals in international football. That does not just disappear at 41.
The question Martinez will face is whether to start him or bring him off the bench. Starting Ronaldo in every game because of who he is, rather than whether he is the best option, would be the wrong call and would cost Portugal.
He deserves to go out on the biggest stage. This is his farewell and it should be celebrated. But the best thing for Portugal and honestly the best thing for Ronaldo's legacy is to use him wisely, not out of sentimentality.
One last dance. Just make sure it is actually worth watching.
Let me know your thoughts.