Overview
- Cristiano Ronaldo will be assessed by the same standards as every Portugal player, with Roberto Martínez saying age is only a number and selection is merit-based.
- Martínez said he manages Ronaldo as a current squad candidate, not as an untouchable icon, stressing decisions come from training data and immediate performance.
- Explaining modern match management, he noted five substitutions create distinct starting and finishing roles and said Ronaldo has accepted whichever role the game demands.
- Martínez highlighted Ronaldo’s output under his tenure with 25 goals in 30 Portugal appearances and praised his movement that opens space and splits centre backs.
- He also pointed to Ronaldo’s hunger and leadership in the dressing room and acknowledged the forward could feature in a sixth World Cup as Portugal finalizes its squad.