Cristiano Ronaldo may be 41 when the 2026 World Cup begins, but the Portuguese captain has once again been backed to play a central role for his country.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, now starring in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, continues to chase records and trophies with the same hunger that defined his early years.
And with the tournament coming to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, his dream of lifting the one trophy that has escaped him is still alive.
Former Brazil and Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva believes Ronaldo’s impact will go far beyond goals.
Speaking to Oddspedia, Silva praised the forward’s mentality and leadership.
“He’s a machine. Cristiano has a mentality like no other player. He can turn things around and find a solution on the pitch. In recent years, he’s not as fast as he used to be, but he’s found a role playing as a number nine and continues to score goals like mad. I think his leadership is so important and vital for Portugal, regardless of how long he stays on the field,” Silva said.
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What makes Cristiano Ronaldo still valuable for Portugal?
Ronaldo’s days of flying past defenders on the wing may be over, but his knack for being in the right place at the right time is still unmatched.
At Al-Nassr, he has evolved into a pure striker, relying on sharp movement and deadly finishing rather than explosive runs. That shift, Silva argues, makes him just as valuable for Portugal in 2026.
With stars like Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva, and Joao Félix around him, Portugal will not lack creativity.
What they need is a leader who can guide the squad through the pressure of the world’s biggest stage. Ronaldo’s voice in the locker room, as much as his finishing touch in the box, could prove decisive.
Adding to the intrigue, Ronaldo is reportedly set to return to the United States before the tournament even begins.
Portugal are in advanced talks to play a friendly against the USMNT in March 2026, which would mark his first match on American soil in more than a decade.
That game could give fans in the host nation an early glimpse of what role he will take in the World Cup itself.
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