Ronaldo at 41 anchors Portugal’s World Cup plan, with Martinez weighing how to use him

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez says Cristiano Ronaldo will start in the World Cup 2026 opener and likely multiple games, leveraging his all-time scoring record even at 41 while adapting his role to focus on finishing and key moments. The piece analyzes how Ronaldo’s presence shapes Portugal’s attack, whether he should be used more sparingly or as a consistent focal point, and how rotation may come into play across a longer tournament.