The idea still seemed unthinkable a few years ago: see Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 years old in 2026, lead the Seleção again in a World Cup. And yet, the fivefold Ballon d'Or continues to push the limits of age and time. While his record contract with Al-Nassr runs until 2026 and he continued his crazy dream to reach the 1,000 goals' mark, a very respected voice from world football is convinced that he will remain a decisive element for Portugal at the next World Cup. And this, whatever its duration of play on the field.
A legend convinced by the “machine” Ronaldo
This clear opinion is that of Gilberto Silva, 2002 world champion with Brazil. The former Arsenal midfielder believes that Ronaldo's influence greatly exceeds his statistics. “It's a machine. Cristiano has a mentality like no other player,
he confides to Oddspedia. Even if he is no longer as fast as before, he has reinvented himself as a new number and continues to score enormously. His leadership is vital for Portugal, it doesn't matter how long it stays on the ground. He inspires others, pushes them to their limits and gives them the conviction that they can accomplish everything. »»
Long supersonic winger, Ronaldo adapted to the inevitable wear and tear of time. In Al-Nassr, he turned into a clinical finisher, a fox of surfaces whose trips and instincts continue to wreak havoc. His game intelligence and his steel mind compensate for the loss of speed, allowing him to remain decisive in the face of the most rigorous defenses. It is this faculty to evolve without giving up excellence that fuels the conviction that he will still be able to make the difference in two years.
Will the 2026 World Cup be the ultimate masterpiece of Ronaldo?
The ingredient that can change everything for Portugal
Around him, the Seleção is counting on a golden generation: Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, Bernardo Silva, João Félix or Diogo Costa. On paper, Portugal has rarely seemed so strong. And it is precisely in this context that Ronaldo's presence takes on its full meaning: his aura and his requirement could transcend this collective and transform an ambitious outsider by claiming credible to the world title.
Gilberto Silva knows what he is talking about: he himself won the World Cup in 2002 with Brazil and measures the importance of experience in this type of tournament. For him, having an still competitive Ronaldo in the Portuguese group in 2026 would be an invaluable asset. Because beyond goals, it is his obsession with victory and his influence on his teammates who could tip the scales. What if the biggest trophy missing from his record was playing … at 41?
