Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will face increased competition for a place in the squad at the 2026 World Cup.
As reported by Idman.Biz, this was stated by Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez, who noted that despite his status, the 40-year-old forward is not guaranteed to feature in every match of the tournament.
According to the coach, the technical staff plan to take three strikers to the World Cup. One of them is expected to be Ronaldo, provided the Al Nassr player avoids injuries. Another candidate is Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Ronaldo in the starting lineup at the 2022 World Cup. Martinez stressed that internal competition is necessary and makes the national team stronger.
Commenting on the decision of former Portugal head coach Fernando Santos, who recently worked with the Azerbaijan national team, to leave Ronaldo on the bench at the previous World Cup, Martinez said: What happens around Cristiano has historical significance. He is an icon of world football, but that does not define or limit our work. When Cristiano Ronaldo plays well, it is very important for the national team.
Martinez also highlighted the importance of the upcoming friendly matches against Mexico and the USA, which will take place in March. According to him, games at altitude and in indoor stadiums will be ideal preparation for the World Cup. The coach added that Portugal must move step by step and continue to progress throughout the tournament in order to be ready to fight for the highest goals.
