Portugal’s Ronaldo faces institutional scrutiny ahead of sixth World Cup
Coach Roberto Martinez defends the 41-year-old’s leadership while critics point to victories in his absence, prompting the federation to clarify compliance protocols regarding his commercial ventures.
As 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for his sixth World Cup with Portugal, the national team is grappling with intense debate regarding his role in the squad. While coach Roberto Martinez defends the forward's high performance levels and mental leadership, critics argue the team performs better without him, citing recent heavy victories in matches where Ronaldo was absent. The Portuguese Football Federation has addressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest regarding a partnership with Ronaldo's recovery company, insisting the organisation is financially prepared for his eventual retirement.
BBC Sport analysis highlights that Portugal’s biggest recent wins (9-0 vs Luxembourg and 9-1 vs Armenia) occurred when Ronaldo was absent, fueling the debate. Former Portugal international Abel Xavier and current coaching staff member Ricardo emphasise Ronaldo’s mental leadership and technical quality over pure physical speed. The FPF President Pedro Proenca denied that Ronaldo has influence over the appointment of the next national team coach, following speculation after Martinez’s tenure began.
The FPF announced a partnership with AVA CR7, a physical recovery company owned by Ronaldo, stating it complies with compliance rules and that Ronaldo was not involved in negotiations. Ronaldo has scored in each of his five previous World Cups and holds eight World Cup goals, one short of Eusebio’s Portuguese record. Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo is scheduled for 17 June.
Ronaldo made his senior Portugal debut on 20 August 2003 in a 1-0 win against Kazakhstan in Chaves. He is the all-time leading scorer in international football with 143 goals. Antonio Simoes, a member of the 1966 World Cup third-place side, criticised Ronaldo’s playing style, contrasting it with Eusebio. Former manager Fernando Santos faced backlash from Ronaldo’s family after dropping him to the bench at the 2022 World Cup, leading to his departure.
The FPF projects record revenue of €161m for 2026-27, having closed the previous financial year in profit for the 13th consecutive year. Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr and has confirmed this will be his final World Cup. Martinez has dismissed the debate as "lift talk", pointing to Ronaldo’s 25 goals in his past 31 games for the Selecao. The federation insists the commercial partnership with AVA CR7 was conducted exclusively with the company's management team, excluding the player.
Portugal’s campaign begins with high expectations, yet the institutional framework surrounding Ronaldo’s career remains under close examination. The FPF’s financial projections suggest a robust buffer for the transition period, with Proenca stating the organisation is preparing for his departure without dramatising the event. As the tournament approaches, the focus remains on balancing Ronaldo’s historical significance with the team’s contemporary performance metrics.
The scrutiny extends beyond the pitch, touching on governance and commercial ethics. By clarifying the separation between Ronaldo’s personal business interests and the federation’s operations, the FPF aims to mitigate perceptions of bias. This structural clarity is crucial as Portugal seeks to leverage Ronaldo’s experience while maintaining a cohesive tactical identity under Martinez.
With the opening match against DR Congo set for 17 June, the debate over Ronaldo’s starting role will likely persist. Martinez’s emphasis on mental leadership and technical quality offers a counter-narrative to those citing recent victories in his absence. The outcome of the tournament may ultimately determine whether Ronaldo’s legacy is defined by individual accolades or collective success.
