Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has rejected claims that Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia has affected his performances at international level.
After traveling to Riyadh to watch Al-Nassr’s clash with Al-Hilal, Martínez took the opportunity to assess several Portugal internationals, including Rúben Neves, João Félix and captain Ronaldo. The visit only reinforced his belief that the veteran forward remains in top condition despite being 41.
Ronaldo has continued to deliver strong numbers this season, playing a key role for Al-Nassr with consistent goal contributions. For Martínez, those performances reflect not just quality, but an extraordinary level of motivation that has not faded with age.
The Portugal coach highlighted Ronaldo’s competitive drive as one of his defining traits, pointing out that his hunger to win remains as strong as ever despite everything he has already achieved in his career.
At the same time, Martínez made it clear that no player is guaranteed a place in the national team based on reputation alone. He stressed that every member of the squad, including Ronaldo, must continue to earn their spot through performances and contribution to the team.
Attention now turns to the upcoming squad announcement, where Martínez will name his 26 players for the 2026 World Cup. If selected, Ronaldo would make history by appearing in his sixth World Cup, extending an already remarkable international career.
Portugal will begin their campaign in North America against DR Congo, with further group matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia awaiting them.
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