Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear that his ambitions with Portugal are far from over. 

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner winner has often been backed by his teammates to keep playing till the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Despite his age, Ronaldo continues to dazzle with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and Portugal manager Roberto Martinez remains convinced that the forward still has plenty to offer. 

The former Belgium coach, who took over the national team after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, reinstated Ronaldo into the starting XI, a role that was in question under former manager Fernando Santos.

Ronaldo's resurgence at both the club and international level has been remarkable. Since arriving at Al-Nassr, he has maintained an elite level of performance, proving that he remains a potent goal-scoring force even at 40. His hunger and commitment to the national team have also played a crucial role in his continued presence in the squad.

In an interview with The Coaches' Voice, Martinez broke down why Ronaldo is still an integral part of the Portuguese setup.

"When I talk about a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, I evaluate him based on three key aspects," Martinez explained. "His talent is indisputable; he is one of the best in the history of football. His experience is also unique: he is the only player to play in six European Championships and has more than 200 international matches."

The Spanish coach emphasised that beyond Ronaldo's talent and experience, it is his unwavering dedication that truly sets him apart.
"But what stands out the most is his commitment," Martinez added. 

"His passion for representing Portugal is contagious and motivates the entire team. He is not in the team today for what he has been, but for what he continues to be: the top scorer with 17 goals in the 21 games we have played in two years."

Ronaldo has continued to prove his worth with decisive performances, including his recent goal in Al-Nassr's 3-0 victory over Iran's Esteghlal, securing their place in the AFC Champions League quarterfinals. 

Despite missing the first-leg draw in Tehran, he returned to lead his team to a commanding win.