Former PL Manager Advises Limited Minutes for Ronaldo at World Cup

As Portugal prepares for the 2026 World Cup, managing Cristiano Ronaldo's playing time will be crucial, according to former Premier League manager Carlos Carvalhal. At 41 years old, Ronaldo's physical condition requires strategic handling to maintain his effectiveness throughout the tournament.

Carvalhal, who shares nationality with Ronaldo, emphasized the importance of rotation in an interview with Sky Sports. He suggested that the coach should avoid playing Ronaldo for the entire duration of every match, proposing a limit of around 60 to 70 minutes per game. "The physical situation, if you ask me, the coach can manage better Cristiano. Do not play him every minute. Understand that he will be important for the next game," Carvalhal said. He added that if Ronaldo feels capable of playing full matches, he will naturally want to contribute fully to the team's success.

Ronaldo’s Role and Tactical Adjustments

Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s head coach, has consistently supported Ronaldo’s involvement, but the 2022 World Cup experience, where Goncalo Ramos replaced Ronaldo in the knockout rounds, remains a reference point. Despite Ronaldo's impressive record of 25 goals in his last 30 international appearances, Carvalhal believes the veteran forward’s ambition to win the World Cup might encourage him to embrace a modified role on the pitch.

"The coach knows that Cristiano really wants to do something extraordinary and he wants a lot to be a world champion," Carvalhal noted. He also highlighted Ronaldo’s influence on teammates, stating that his mentality motivates others. Carvalhal expressed confidence that Ronaldo will start all of Portugal’s World Cup matches, maintaining his importance to the squad.

Team Selection and Competitive Depth

Martinez has indicated that no player’s starting position is guaranteed, even for Ronaldo. After a final warm-up match victory against Nigeria, in which Ronaldo missed several scoring opportunities, Martinez remarked that the lineup is not finalized. With a 26-man squad featuring high-level talent in every position, competition for starting spots is intense.

"We used 26 players across two matches [against Chile and Nigeria], and they're all ready for the World Cup," Martinez said. "I haven't finalised the starting eleven yet. We're very clear about what we want. There are plenty of players performing at a high level who can fulfil the same role and do the same job on the pitch."

Challenges and Aspirations in the Tournament

Portugal’s group stage opponents are DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, which provides a relatively manageable start to the competition. Nevertheless, Carvalhal warned about the team’s vulnerability during defensive transitions. "We must be careful in the transition," he said, adding that fast players from other teams could exploit any imbalance.

The tournament carries additional emotional significance for Portugal following the recent death of Diogo Jota. The squad has dedicated their recent Nations League success to his memory and aims to surpass Portugal’s best World Cup finish, a third-place achievement in 1966. For Ronaldo, this World Cup is poised to be the final chapter of his international career, where his acceptance of a carefully managed playing role could be key to securing the elusive title.