Portugal Coach: 'Ronaldo doesn't need a World Cup win to be the GOAT'

The World Cup remains the most significant trophy absent from Cristiano Ronaldo's achievements, yet coach Roberto Martinez feels this does not affect his standing.

Ronaldo, along with his great rival Lionel Messi, is set to participate in his sixth World Cup, a tournament record. However, he has yet to lift the prestigious golden trophy.

Having played 22 matches across the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups—ranking fifth all-time—Ronaldo has never scored in the knockout stages. He is the only player to have scored in five different World Cups, but all 8 goals came during the group stages (1 goal in 2006, 1 in 2010, 1 in 2014, 4 in 2018, and 1 in 2022), including 3 penalties.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi holds the record for the most direct goal involvements in World Cup history (21 times: 13 goals, 8 assists) and is just 3 goals shy of Miroslav Klose's all-time scoring record. Messi scored twice in the 2022 World Cup final when Argentina defeated France.

When asked whether Ronaldo needs to win the World Cup like Messi to be considered the greatest player of all time, coach Martinez said on the Portugal Football Summit Podcast: “He will be the greatest player ever, regardless of whether he wins a World Cup or not. I've never worked with a player who every morning is so focused on making the most of that day to improve himself. If we could keep Cristiano forever, it would be the easiest way to help young players when they join the national team. His desire is to use every day to get better.”

At the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo was dropped from the starting lineup by coach Fernando Santos in the round of 16 match against Switzerland. His replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick in Portugal's 6-1 victory before the team was eliminated in the next round.

Coach Martinez added: “We have to accept that the whole world knows Cristiano Ronaldo and has their own opinions about him. But the Cristiano from 21 years ago is not the same as now. Currently, he plays more as a true striker. For us, he is a ‘killer’ in the penalty area. The greatest goal scorer of all time. Having a player who has scored 25 goals in the last 30 matches for the national team is a gift.”

In the upcoming World Cup, Portugal is drawn in Group K alongside Uzbekistan, Colombia, and the winner of a playoff bracket involving DR Congo, Jamaica, and New Caledonia.