Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for what is expected to be his sixth and final World Cup, entering the tournament in strong form despite ongoing doubts about his move to Saudi Arabia.
When he left European football in 2022 to join Al Nassr, many questioned whether the lower level of competition would affect his performances.
Nearly four years later, those concerns have largely been silenced. Ronaldo, now 41, continues to deliver consistently for both club and country, with his goal output remaining at an elite level.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has been quick to dismiss any suggestion that the move has slowed the veteran forward down. He highlighted Ronaldo’s continued importance to the national team and, above all, his relentless drive.
“He keeps performing and he keeps showing his value and he keeps showing that he is important for the national team,” Martínez said. “To have that hunger when you’ve won everything in the game is quite remarkable.”
At the same time, Martínez made it clear that reputation alone is not enough to secure a place in the squad.
“To be in the national team you need to be somebody that can help the team now and not with what you’ve done in the past,” he added.
Ronaldo himself has also responded to criticism surrounding his move, pointing to his continued productivity as the ultimate answer.
“The numbers don’t lie,” he said previously, defending both his performances and the level of competition he faces.
Since relocating to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has maintained an impressive scoring rate and remained a key figure for Portugal. He has continued to find the net regularly at international level and played an important role in recent successes, including Portugal’s Nations League triumph.
Physically, he remains in remarkable condition for his age, recovering quickly from minor setbacks and continuing to perform at a high intensity. His longevity has also had a strong impact within the squad, inspiring teammates with his professionalism and consistency.
“Seeing him at 40 doing what he does only gives us more motivation,” teammate João Félix said.
As Portugal prepare for the World Cup, Ronaldo’s role remains central. This tournament is expected to be his final opportunity to lift the one major trophy that has eluded him throughout his career.
Even now, however, there is no sense of decline. Instead, Ronaldo continues to define his legacy in real time, driven by the same ambition that has carried him to the very top of the game.
“It’s difficult to predict the future with Cristiano,” Martínez admitted. “He has this elite mindset about being the best he can be today.”
For Portugal, that may be exactly what they need heading into the biggest stage in world football.
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