Portugal head coach, Roberto Martinez has expressed confidence that Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41 can continue playing beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in an interview, Martinez stated that Ronaldo continues to earn his place in the team through performance rather than reputation.
“I have always believed that it is the body that decides when a player retires, but in reality it is about the head. Cristiano has not yet made that decision, even though he is 40 or 41 years old,” he said.
“At this level it is not mainly about talent, but about mentality and the ability to withstand adversity.”
Martinez also noted that many people wrongly assess Ronaldo based on his past achievements instead of his current form.
“The biggest mistake is not judging him based on how he plays today. After the European Championship, it was said that Portugal didn’t win because Cristiano played. When we then win the Nations League, the discussion is instead about what Portugal will do when Ronaldo retires,” he added.