Portuguese legend Maniche has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be vital for Portugal and should start at the 2026 World Cup. Despite his age, the former midfielder insists that there is currently no forward superior to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Ronaldo remains ‘unique’

Maniche, who once shared the dressing room with Ronaldo in the Portugal squad, has backed the Al-Nassr star to remain the key figure in the national side’s attack through the 2026 World Cup. While questions persist regarding Ronaldo’s age and physical sharpness, Maniche believes his natural finishing ability distinguishes him from any other Portuguese striker.

By the time the World Cup kicks off in North America, Ronaldo will be 41, yet he continues to score regularly in the Saudi Pro League and for his country. For Maniche, who played alongside him during Euro 2004, the choice to start Ronaldo is about performance and contribution, not just reputation.

Lack of better alternatives

The former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid midfielder acknowledged that Portugal boasts several technically gifted players, but still lacks a true finisher who can replicate Ronaldo’s consistency in front of goal.

He pointed to Ronaldo’s outstanding fitness and relentless professionalism as reasons why the veteran striker remains capable of competing at the top level, even as he nears the twilight of his career.

“I don’t see another striker better than him,” Maniche said in an interview with Flashscore, when asked about the options available to coach Roberto Martinez. He described Ronaldo as a “unique” player whose presence alone opens up spaces and creates opportunities for teammates, making him indispensable for Portugal’s starting XI as they aim to build on their recent progress.

Mourinho as Real Madrid’s potential solution

Shifting focus from the national team, Maniche also discussed the future of his former manager Jose Mourinho, who has been repeatedly linked with a potential return to Real Madrid. According to Maniche, the experienced coach still has what it takes to thrive at the Santiago Bernabeu despite claims that his tactics are outdated.

“It’s difficult to refuse a club like Real Madrid. That interest doesn’t surprise me. There’s a strong bond between Florentino Pérez and José Mourinho. When Mourinho joined Real Madrid, Barcelona were dominating European football, and he made Madrid competitive again. But that’s not all — Mourinho remains a very capable and honest coach who knows how to unite players around him. This renewed interest is no accident. Many say he has stopped winning or failed to adapt to modern football, but I completely disagree,” Maniche stated.

Focus on 2026

Although some analysts believe Portugal should begin planning for life beyond their record goal scorer, Roberto Martinez continues to rely heavily on his captain. Ronaldo’s personal ambition to surpass the 1,000-goal mark serves as a major source of motivation, and the 2026 World Cup might be his last opportunity to capture the one major title missing from his illustrious career.

All attention will be on Cristiano Ronaldo as he leads Portugal’s frontline against DR Congo on June 17 in their opening Group K clash at the 2026 World Cup. The group also features Colombia and Uzbekistan.