PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) 鈥� It would have been unthinkable at the start of the 2022 World Cup to suggest Cristiano Ronaldo was anything other than the undisputed leader of the Portugal team.
But the Qatar edition went poorly for Portugal鈥檚 all-time leading goal scorer. After scoring just once, from the penalty spot, in the group stage, he reacted angrily to being subbed off against South Korea and was promptly dropped to the bench for his team’s first knockout-stage match against Switzerland.
Then, he didn鈥檛 score at all in the 2024 European Championship. It was the first time he had failed to find the net at a major international tournament.
Now, in the buildup to what may be Ronaldo鈥檚 World Cup swan song, concerns over what the 41-year-old can still bring to the national team are at the forefront of many fans鈥� minds. Portugal opens play Wednesday against Congo DR in Houston.
鈥淚 think in some instances they play better without him,鈥� fan Zach Mallias said at the team鈥檚 first open World Cup practice at its Florida base camp. 鈥淭here are other players that fit the system better.鈥�
Other fans are worried about the superstar鈥檚 ego and whether he would accept relinquishing the spotlight for the good of the team.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a very big player, he鈥檚 very loved by a lot of his fans,鈥� Beatrice Mitankin said. 鈥淚t might get to his head.鈥�
There is some recent evidence, however, of Ronaldo still being able to positively influence games. During Portugal鈥檚 2025 UEFA Nations League run, its second title triumph in that competition, he scored eight goals, including an equalizer in the final against Spain.
Ronaldo also recently won his first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr, leading his club with 28 goals on the season.
His abundant experience and leadership are qualities some supporters say cannot be replicated.
鈥淗e鈥檚 not going to shy away from those moments when it鈥檚 the World Cup on the line,鈥� Rob Stickle said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 one of those guys you want kicking the penalty kicks for you, being on the pitch at the end of the game.鈥�
Ronaldo, playing in a record-extending sixth World Cup, is the oldest outfield player in the tournament but still projects as Portugal鈥檚 starting striker.
Although his age has repeatedly been called into question, fan Ernesto Vilar pointed to other examples of older players, like Argentina鈥檚 Lionel Messi and Croatia鈥檚 Luka Modri膰, as veterans who still play significant roles for their team.
鈥淎ge is just a number,鈥� Vilar said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 still in very peak physical condition.鈥�
His teammates and manager would concur.
Midfielder Vitinha is still in awe over Ronaldo鈥檚 physique.
鈥淗e鈥檚 41. I鈥檓 26, and I鈥檓 not like that,鈥� the Paris Saint-Germain player said through a translator. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something incredible.鈥�
Team manager Roberto Mart铆nez has suggested Ronaldo could even appear at the 2030 World Cup, when he would be 45.
Removed from the conversation about Ronaldo鈥檚 production and effectiveness, however, are a group of fans that will always idolize him: young children. Many showed up to watch Portugal practice.
Elizabeth Stiebel, 10, says she admires how Ronaldo has always been there when his team needs a big moment.
And 13-year-old Christian Loureiro, whose favorite Ronaldo moment is his overhead-kick goal against Juventus in 2018 while playing for Real Madrid, agrees the superstar forward is still a steadying voice.
鈥淎 lot of young players on this team need an older figure to help guide them,鈥� Loureiro said.
__
Zach Pascuzzi is a student in the University of Georgia鈥檚 Carmical Sports Media Institute.
__
AP soccer:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
