There is no separating Ronaldo from Portugal’s identity. His presence still carries weight in the dressing room, in the stands and in the way opponents prepare. Reports suggest Martínez values that influence as much as any immediate on-pitch output, especially with younger players coming through.
That is understandable. Few international teams have ever had a figure with this kind of authority. But emotional value and tactical value are not always the same thing, particularly with a squad that now appears deeper and more varied than many of Ronaldo’s earlier tournament teams.
The wider argument exists because Portugal have options everywhere:
That depth changes the conversation. It is no longer disrespectful to ask whether Portugal function better with more mobility through the front line. It is simply the reality of a team trying to win the biggest prizes.
This is now Martínez’s central challenge: protect Ronaldo’s stature without letting reputation dictate every major call. If Portugal are to maximise this generation, sentiment cannot be the only guide. Equally, writing off Ronaldo completely would ignore the competitive force that has defined him for two decades.
The next storyline is obvious. As 2026 approaches, every selection, every substitution and every big-game performance will be read through the same lens: can Portugal honour their icon and still pick the version of the team most likely to win?