Pauleta Backs Ronaldo for Starting Role at 2026 World Cup Despite Recent Absence
Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years vintage, remains a pivotal figure for Portugal, and is expected to feature in the 2026 World Cup. Former Portugal international Pedro Pauleta has publicly supported Ronaldo, advocating for his inclusion in the starting lineup.
Ronaldo is currently absent from the Portugal squad for upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States due to a recent injury sustained even as playing for Al-Nassr. However, his position within the national team remains secure, according to both head coach Roberto Martinez and, as emphasized by Pauleta, one of Portugal’s all-time greats.
In an interview with A Bola’s 90+3 program, Pauleta, Portugal’s former all-time leading scorer, stated unequivocally: “Cristiano Ronaldo, from the moment he joined the national team squad, he should be a starter. We know he can decide any match at any moment.”
Ronaldo has consistently performed under Roberto Martinez, scoring 25 goals in 36 matches. Pauleta added, “And we know he will continue scoring goals as long as he plays football, and he will always keep scoring.”
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Nations League.
Pauleta’s endorsement is particularly significant considering Ronaldo was benched during the Round of 16 and quarterfinal stages of the last World Cup, where Portugal was eliminated.
“The most key thing is that the group is united: the players and the entire structure,” Pauleta concluded, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion as Portugal prepares for the 2026 tournament. With Ronaldo as the leading scorer under Martinez and the team having recently won the UEFA Nations League, the conditions appear favorable for the striker to finally secure a major international trophy.
Pauleta’s Reaction to Ronaldo Breaking His Goal Record
Pauleta made his debut for Portugal in 1997 and played a key role in the team reaching the fourth place at the 2006 World Cup. He retired as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 47 goals. However, his later years with the national team coincided with the emergence of Ronaldo, who eventually surpassed his record.
Portugal team line up back in 2004.
On March 5, 2014, in a friendly match against Cameroon, Ronaldo scored to surpass Pauleta’s record of 47 goals. As of today, Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 226 appearances for Portugal, making him the all-time leading scorer for both his country and in international football.
Pauleta fondly recalled the moment: “I was coming back from an under-21 national team match when he broke the record. I called Ronaldo to congratulate him and laughed a lot with him, because I told him: ‘As you can see, you’ve broken the toughest record of your career.’ Then he laughed, he knew he had broken all the records, so it was just a joke for him.”