TAs he discusses how soccer’s greatest players have defined the last 20 years, one question remains at the center of the conversation: Can Cristiano Ronaldo be considered the greatest player of all time even without a World Cup title?
According to Roberto Martínez, head coach of the Portuguese national soccer team, the answer is simple. He believes that Ronaldo’s achievements do not depend on winning the sport’s biggest international tournament.
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Ronaldo is expected to play in this year’s FIFA World Cup for a historic sixth time, a feat no other player has achieved. His long career at international level has already included him appearing in tournaments in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. He has played 22 games in these competitions, the fifth most in World Cup history.
Questions that shape the GOAT discussion
But one statistic often cited by critics continues to shape the GOAT debate. Ronaldo has never scored a goal in a World Cup finals match. All of his eight goals in this competition came during the group stage, including one in 2006, one in 2010, one in 2014, four in 2018 and one in 2022. Three of those goals came from the penalty spot.
These figures are often contrasted with the achievements of long-time rival Lionel Messi. The Argentina star led the Argentina national team to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, cementing his achievements by scoring twice in the final against France.
Messi currently holds the record for most goals in World Cup history with 21 goals, including 13 goals and eight assists, and is just three goals away from equaling Miroslav Klose, the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. For many observers, the victory in Qatar put Messi firmly ahead in the GOAT conversation. The Argentina captain’s World Cup success is often seen as the final leg of an already extraordinary career, reinforcing the argument that he stands above Ronaldo in the historic rankings.
Not that fast, Martinez says.
However, Martinez believes Ronaldo’s greatness goes beyond one tournament. Speaking on the Portuguese Football Summit podcast, the manager highlighted the dedication that defined the forward’s career. “Whether he wins the World Cup or not, he’s going to be the greatest player of all time,” Martinez said.
The coach pointed to Ronaldo’s relentless work ethic as a defining characteristic that distinguishes him from other players. According to Martínez, the Portuguese star strives to improve every day, and that mentality has allowed him to remain productive well into his 40s. His importance to Portugal remains huge.
Early in his career, he was known for his explosive speed and dribbling on the wings. Now 41 years old, he primarily operates as a central striker and finisher, using his positioning and experience to remain dangerous in front of goal. This longevity is one reason Martinez believes Ronaldo’s influence goes beyond statistics. The presence of veterans in the locker room and training sessions serves as a role model for young players joining the national team.
