Ronaldo Breaks Historical Record in New Squad

Roberto Martinez has officially confirmed Portugal's final 27-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The most significant headline from the announcement is the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 41 years old is set to make history once again.

By featuring in this tournament, Ronaldo will compete in his sixth World Cup, surpassing the previous record of five tournaments shared by Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthäus, and Rafael Márquez. This appearance cements his status as the player with the most World Cup participations in history. The Al-Nassr star has been a constant presence since his debut at the 2006 tournament in Germany, continuing through 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.

Manager’s Warning on Veteran’s Role

While Ronaldo’s selection is a historic milestone, Martinez has been pragmatic about the forward’s role. The manager indicated that the veteran must accept a specific function within the team structure and may not start every match. Martinez emphasized that the squad is managing the current player, not the legend.

"We are working with Cristiano Ronaldo, the footballer trying to earn a spot in the national team for the 2026 World Cup, not the legendary figure of Cristiano," Martinez stated. "Age is just a number. At the national team, we can evaluate exactly what is happening on match day and make decisions accordingly."

A Quest for the Elusive Title

Despite Ronaldo’s individual brilliance, Portugal remains without a World Cup trophy. The nation’s best historical performance was third place at the 1966 tournament in England, led by the legendary Eusébio. The 2006 squad, featuring Luís Figo and a young Ronaldo, reached the semi-finals in Germany. Most recently, Portugal was eliminated in the quarter-finals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar by Morocco. Martinez now faces the task of blending this experienced core with new talent to chase the ultimate prize.