Leader Ronaldo

At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the most talked-about figure at Portugal's training camp this month.

Ronaldo plays a crucial role for the Portuguese national team. Photo: Reuters .

Since making his national team debut in 2003, Ronaldo has become an icon of "European Brazil". After 22 years of playing, CR7 continues to be trusted and given the responsibility of leading the Portuguese attack in the two matches against Denmark in the Nations League.

Ronaldo is not the oldest player to ever play for the Portuguese national team. That record belongs to Pepe (41 years and 4 months). However, with his stamina and impressive physical fitness, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star could surpass his close friend in the future.

Explaining his decision to call up Ronaldo, coach Roberto Martinez said: "When calling up a player like Ronaldo, I consider three criteria. His talent is undeniable, one of the best players in history. Ronaldo's experience is also invaluable. But the most outstanding thing is his dedication. Ronaldo's desire whenever he plays for the Portuguese national team is what motivates the whole team."

In the Nations League, Ronaldo is still in contention for the top scorer award with 5 goals, 4 goals behind leader Viktor Gyokeres. No Portuguese player is in better form than CR7 currently.

Ronaldo continues to score regularly for the national team. Photo: Reuters.

During the current training camp, Ronaldo will be alongside familiar teammates such as Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Diogo Dalot, and Bernardo Silva. Notably, the midfield duo of Joao Neves and Vitinha, who are currently in excellent form at PSG, are expected to be key players in supporting CR7 in upcoming matches.

The biggest goal for both the Portuguese national team and Ronaldo personally is to win the World Cup. Coach Martinez added: “It’s not about pressure, but about bravely overcoming challenges to achieve our ambitions. We want to find a balance between immediate success and building a project for the future.”

Coach Martinez's team will also begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Ronaldo is expected to continue to play a crucial role in the squad.

Five veterans still perform impressively. Despite no longer being at their peak, veterans like Ronaldo, Messi, Modric, Dzeko, and Ramos still shine brightly in their club colors.

Source: https://znews.vn/thu-linh-ronaldo-post1538996.html