Cristiano Ronaldo, international football's all-time leading scorer, is facing increasing debate over his role in the Portuguese national team as his sixth World Cup approaches. While Ronaldo has consistently been a central figure for Portugal, with calls for him to step back and play a diminished role on the pitch gaining traction, his impact and importance remain a subject of discussion.
Antonio Simoes, a member of Portugal's 1966 World Cup third-place squad, has voiced his opinion that Ronaldo prioritizes being the main figure over winning, contrasting him with the legendary Eusebio. "He doesn't play to win, he plays to be the main figure," Simoes stated, emphasizing that he is calling things as he sees them despite acknowledging his ability to still perceive reality.
Ronaldo has made history by scoring in all six of the World Cups he has participated in. His goal-scoring record includes a penalty against Iran in 2006, a goal versus North Korea in 2010, a goal against Ghana in 2014, a hat-trick against Spain and a winner against Morocco in 2018, and a penalty against Ghana in 2022. Most recently, he scored from the spot against Croatia and netted two goals in a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Houston on June 23.
Despite these individual achievements, questions about the team's performance with and without him persist. Portugal achieved their largest victory of the current cycle, a 9-0 thrashing of Luxembourg in September 2023, and their second-biggest win, a 9-1 against Armenia in November, both occurred in matches where Ronaldo did not play. These results have fueled discussions about whether the team functions more effectively without their captain.
However, coach Roberto Martinez has continued to select Ronaldo, highlighting his leadership and effectiveness in the final third. Since Martinez took charge in 2023, Ronaldo has appeared in 36 of Portugal's 44 matches, with most absences attributed to injury or suspension. Fans, meanwhile, continue to hold a deep affection for the player they credit with inspiring memorable moments.
IMAGE2 A Portugal fan holds a cardboard cutout of Cristiano Ronaldo with the World Cup trophy during the World Cup.