Portugal National Team Coach: 'Ronaldo Can Play Forever'

Portugal's head coach Roberto Martinez believes Cristiano Ronaldo can keep playing year after year if he truly wishes to.

Although currently competing in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to perform at a high level. This season, he has scored 17 goals in 18 matches for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, bringing his career total to over 960 goals for both club and country. The Portuguese superstar takes great pride in maintaining his physical condition at the best possible level, which has allowed him to perform well even after turning 40. According to coach Roberto Martinez, this means Ronaldo can keep playing as long as he wants.

When asked about when he thinks Ronaldo will retire, the Portugal coach told BBC: “We have all the statistics. If you analyze a player who is physically declining, that’s not the case here. His physical metrics indicate a player who could continue indefinitely. I think it’s a matter of when he feels it’s right. I believe he is very strict with himself. When he no longer feels he can contribute to the team, he will be the one to decide to stop.”

Martinez was also asked how it feels to coach the greatest player in Portugal’s football history, and he replied: “It’s very easy because of his high standards, expectations about how work should be done, and his commitment to football. He truly sets an example of what it means to represent Portugal and the national team. And now he has adapted, clearly after 21 years with the national team, he has adjusted.”

The Spanish strategist has faced criticism for continuing to call up Ronaldo, but he defended his decision: “He is a goal scorer, a key player for us, and what matters to me is who he is now. As a national team coach, a player who has scored 25 goals in his last 30 international matches… it’s not because of what he did in the past, but because of what he is doing now.”

However, it seems the day when the global football icon officially retires is approaching. Although aiming to reach the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 career goals, Portugal’s all-time top scorer admits he will retire soon. When asked in November 2025 about his retirement timing, Ronaldo said: “Honestly, when I say soon, I probably will still play for another year or two.”

In December, CR7 added: “My passion is still very strong and I want to keep going. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and want to continue. You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and reach that number (1,000 goals) that everyone knows about. I am confident I will reach it, unless I get injured.”