Roberto Martinez answers whether Cristiano Ronaldo can play every 2026 World Cup game
Ronaldo looks set to make his last World Cup appearance in 2026.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s name is on everyone’s lips, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, many will be eagerly watching the Portuguese legend play the last World Cup of his career.
With Roberto Martinez at the helm, he will also be a key instructor on the sidelines, hopefully leading Portugal to glory and handing the Selecao their maiden World Cup.
However, the majority of the limelight will be on only one man. Moreover, how Ronaldo performs in the competition will be important for the national team, given that the striker recently turned 41.
Martinez answers whether Ronaldo can play every World Cup match
Given Ronaldo’s age, Gary Neville asked coach Martinez if the former Real Madrid star could play every match in the tournament.
Gary Neville questioned: “How will you manage a player at this age? Is it realistic for Ronaldo to play 8 full matches in a World Cup?”
Roberto Martinez said:
“Can he do it for 10 months straight? No… But in a short tournament? Yes, absolutely. Ronaldo has the mentality to achieve that. He now wants to leave a great legacy — not just individual records.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has attempted to downplay his claims to a World Cup victory, arguing that he doesn’t want that confirmation to solidify his reputation. However, he has witnessed Lionel Messi, Argentina’s everlasting nemesis, win that trophy in 2022.
With Cristiano Ronaldo hoping to set an example, Portugal are anticipated to be competitive when another spectacular international competition opens in North America. In 2025, he contributed to the team’s second UEFA Nations League victory.
When Cristiano Ronaldo makes it to the sixth World Cup finals of his record-breaking career, he hopes to have nearly reached 1,000 goals.
Has Cristiano Ronaldo won a World Cup?
No, he has yet to win the World Cup.
Has Martinez won a World Cup as a manager?
No, he has yet to win the World Cup.
What did Martinez say about Ronaldo playing every match in the upcoming WC?
The coach said that with CR7’s elite mentality, he can play in every match.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.