World Cup Tickets: Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has expressed his opinion that Cristiano Ronaldo should not be a regular starter for Portugal in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Nicol argues that while Ronaldo remains a legendary figure in football, his performances in recent years have shown that he is no longer the player he once was.
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Instead, he believes Ronaldo should be utilized as an impact substitute rather than a starting forward for A Selecao. Cristiano Ronaldo has undoubtedly been Portugal’s most influential player on the international stage, setting records for goals and appearances. The 40-year-old superstar has netted an impressive 136 goals and provided 46 assists in 219 appearances for the national team.
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Football World Cup Tickets: Ronaldo’s Role for Portugal Starter or Impact Substitute
Many pundits and analysts argue that these limitations have impacted Portugal’s effectiveness on the field. Nicol, speaking during a segment on ESPN, was asked whether he would start Ronaldo for Portugal between now and the FIFA World Cup 2026. The former Liverpool defender firmly responded.
No, he’s not the player he was before. However, one thing I’d say is that Portugal does not have an abundance of top-class center-forwards, which makes it easier for Roberto Martinez to continue selecting Ronaldo. Yes, Ronaldo deserves to be in the squad, but his role should be different. He should be there as a mentor, an inspirational figure for the younger players, guiding them and motivating them.
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If Portugal needs a goal with 20 minutes left, who better to bring on than Ronaldo? He still can produce something special out of nothing. But to expect him to play 90 minutes and perform at the level he once did is unrealistic. Keeping him on the field for the full match could affect the overall dynamics of the team.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets: Didi Hamann Calls for Ronaldo’s Exclusion from the Starting Lineup
Echoing Nicol’s sentiments, former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has also called for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez to phase Ronaldo out of the starting lineup. Hamann believes that the veteran forward’s presence could be limiting opportunities for younger talent to establish themselves in the team.
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He has urged Martinez to consider other attacking options as Portugal prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026. So, while I would keep him in the squad, I would primarily use him as a substitute rather than a starter. Ronaldo was Portugal’s primary striker at Euro 2024, but his performances were underwhelming.
The Al-Nassr forward failed to score a single goal in five appearances, managing only one assist. His lack of impact was a significant factor in Portugal’s quarter-final exit from the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence was very limited at the last Euros, and we have to remember that by the World Cup, he will be another year older.
FIFA 2026 Tickets: Portugal’s Striker Dilemma Should Ronaldo Still Be the Main Man
He still scores goals, but Portugal has talented forwards like Goncalo Ramos who barely get opportunities because Ronaldo continues to start. I believe it’s time for someone else to step up and take over the role. If we see him at the World Cup, I’d be very surprised if he has a big impact. Portugal has a wealth of attacking options, including Diogo Jota, Goncalo Ramos, and Joao Felix.
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These players could provide fresh energy and dynamism to the team, something that many critics argue has been missing since Ronaldo started. As Portugal looks ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2026, manager Roberto Martinez faces a crucial decision regarding Ronaldo’s role in the squad. The legendary forward remains one of the most iconic figures in football.
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His leadership and experience could still be valuable. However, with younger, more mobile forwards available, Portugal may need to shift towards a more balanced and dynamic attacking approach. Despite Nicol and Hamann’s critiques, Ronaldo has continued to deliver strong performances in the UEFA FIFA 2026.
Cristiano Ronaldo Should Start for Portugal in the FIFA World Cup 2026
The veteran striker has scored six goals in seven appearances, proving that he still has the ability to make an impact at the highest level. However, the key question remains should he be a starter? Roberto Martinez has a challenging task ahead as he prepares Portugal for FIFA 2026. He will continue to rely on Ronaldo’s experience and goal-scoring ability.
The next few months will be crucial in shaping Portugal’s approach as they aim to compete on the world’s biggest stage once again. Steve Nicol, former Liverpool defender and ESPN pundit, has questioned whether Cristiano Ronaldo should start for Portugal. Following Portugal’s 3-1 win over Poland in the UEFA Nations League, where Ronaldo scored his 906th career goal.
Nicol stated, If Cristiano Ronaldo is your starting center-forward in the World Cup, Portugal will not win it. I guarantee you that. He believes Portugal has stronger attacking options, including Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes. Nicol argues that relying on Ronaldo could hinder the team’s chances of winning major tournaments, as younger, more dynamic players may be better suited to lead the attack.
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