It is ´very easy´ to manage Ronaldo, says Portugal boss Martinez

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo is “very easy” to manage as they look to win the World Cup this summer.

Ronaldo is yet to get his hands on the coveted trophy, scoring eight goals and registering two assists in 22 appearances in the competition.

Last time out in 2022, Portugal were knocked out in the quarter-final stage by Morocco, who became the first-ever African side to reach the last four of the tournament.

Ronaldo has made headlines recently after refusing to play in two matches for Al-Nassr due to a dispute with the club’s hierarchy over their lack of transfer activity.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward is set to return to action on Saturday as Al-Nassr look to win the Saudi Pro League.

Martinez was full of praise for the 41-year-old, who scored five goals in their qualifying campaign for the World Cup.

When asked what it’s like to manage Ronaldo, Martinez told BBC Sport: “Very easy, because of his high standards, his expectations of how the work should be done and his commitment to the game.

“He truly is an example of what you should do to represent Portugal and the national team. And now he’s adapted, obviously, after 21 years in the national team – he’s adjusted.

“He’s a goalscorer, he’s an important player for us, and it’s the player that he is now that is important for me.

“As a national team coach, a player that has scored 25 goals in the last 30 international games… it’s not that he’s playing because of what he’s done in the past, it’s what he’s done now.”

QUALIFIED! Portugal have booked their spot at the #FIFAWorldCup! #WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/dbRr65IPHQ

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 16, 2025

Portugal will face Uzbekistan, Colombia and one other qualifier in this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Martinez’s side are one of the favourites, and the coach is relishing the pressure that comes with that tag.

“It’s an enjoyable pressure because it is true,” he added.

“We arrived in Portugal – huge tradition, always created big players through the history, now that we celebrated the moment that Eusebio won the Ballon d’Or in 1965.

“So, we’re looking forward. The first step was to qualify. We did that, and I always believe that there has never been a winning team that arrives to the tournament. The winning team becomes the winning team in the tournament.”