The Cristiano Ronaldo debate is unavoidable for Portugal because it now sits between two truths that can both be right at the same time.
Ronaldo is still a legend, still a huge goal threat and still coming off a remarkable scoring run for his country under Roberto Martinez. He has 25 goals and four assists in 31 games during this era, which is not the record of a passenger.
But he is also 41, Goncalo Ramos is a real alternative, and Portugal have enough attacking depth to adjust from game to game. So how has Ronaldo’s presence actually affected this side?
Portugal with vs without Ronaldo in starting XI
Across the Martinez era, Portugal’s record with Ronaldo starting is still strong. They have won 21, drawn five and lost four when he has been named in the XI, scoring 67 goals in those matches.
Without him starting, the sample is smaller but interesting. Portugal have won six, drawn two and lost one, scoring 33 goals across those games.
That means Portugal have scored more freely when Ronaldo has not started.
| with Ronaldo | Portugal under Martinez | without Ronaldo |
| 30 | Games | 9 |
| 21 | Wins | 6 |
| 5 | Draws | 2 |
| 4 | Losses | 1 |
| 67 | Goals scored | 33 |
But the numbers need a caveat.
Their two biggest wins under Martinez, 9-0 against Luxembourg and 9-1 against Armenia, both came without him in the XI, which inflates that side of the argument.
The case for flexibility is stronger than the case for a permanent bench role. Ramos has the movement, pressing and penalty-box instincts to suit certain matches, while Portugal’s midfield and wide options mean they do not always need to play through one central figure.
Still, Portugal’s possible route to the final could be brutal, with Ronaldo chasing World Cup history across what is almost certainly his final tournament.
He has already made clear that the World Cup will not define his legacy, with what Ronaldo said about winning showing how he views his place in football history.
But Portugal still need to make the best football decision. That probably means Ronaldo starts important games, but Martinez should have the freedom to adjust based on opponent, tempo and physical demand.
He should not be warming the bench for the next month. But using him smartly, including as a devastating late option when games open up, may be how Portugal get the most from one of the greatest big-game players football has ever seen.
- READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe says why Cristiano Ronaldo will score more than Lionel Messi at the World Cup
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