Analysis: Could Portugal Become Even More Dangerous Without Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to retire from international football has sparked an interesting debate about Portugal’s future. After more than two decades at the heart of the national team, the legendary forward leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. However, his departure could also give the next generation of Portuguese players an opportunity to take the team in a new direction.
Since making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo has experienced almost every high and low in Portuguese football. He was part of the side that suffered a painful defeat to Greece in the Euro 2004 final and remained a central figure through multiple European Championships, World Cups and UEFA Nations League campaigns.
His international career produced remarkable numbers. Ronaldo made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring 146 goals and providing 45 assists across all competitions. That equates to a direct goal contribution every 97.4 minutes. He also helped the Seleção das Quinas win the European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles.
However, his international journey came to an unexpected end on November 5, following a 30-day suspension imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
Ronaldo’s Departure and the Circumstances Behind It
The decision reportedly followed an incident during the 2025/26 UEFA Nations League campaign, when Ronaldo reacted to being left on the bench by head coach Jorge Jesus and left the squad unexpectedly.
He had previously featured against Wales before being substituted in the 67th minute. Ronaldo subsequently claimed that Jesus had broken two agreements they had made, adding to the tension surrounding his role in the national team.
In explaining his retirement, Ronaldo insisted that the decision was not the result of a dispute with either the federation or the coach. Instead, he said he wanted to protect the legacy he had built over more than 20 years representing Portugal. At 41, he also acknowledged that maintaining the highest level of performance indefinitely was no longer realistic.
Stepping away from international football could also allow him to focus on another historic ambition: reaching 1,000 career goals for club and country. Ronaldo remains prolific with Al-Nassr, having scored 985 goals in 1,343 appearances. He is now just 15 goals short of the milestone, which he could achieve during his time in Saudi Arabia.
Portugal’s Numbers Suggest They Can Thrive Without Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s absence inevitably raises questions about Portugal’s ability to maintain their status among Europe’s leading national teams. However, statistics compiled by Planet Football suggest that the team have performed remarkably well without their all-time leading scorer.
Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Portugal have played 49 matches, recording a 70.2 per cent win rate and averaging 2.05 goals per game. Those figures are impressive, but their numbers become even more interesting when Ronaldo is not involved.
In matches without the veteran forward, Portugal have recorded a 75 per cent win rate and averaged 3.41 goals per game. One of their most emphatic victories during this period was a 9-0 demolition of Luxembourg in 2023.
Although the sample size is smaller, the figures suggest that Portugal can be even more productive when their attacking responsibilities are distributed across the team rather than concentrated around one individual.
Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Ramos Could Lead the Next Generation
Without Ronaldo, Portugal have several attacking players capable of taking greater responsibility. Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Goncalo Ramos are among the names who could become increasingly influential in the team’s new chapter.
Their potential was evident in Portugal’s 4-2 victory over Denmark in the UEFA Nations League. The performance demonstrated how the team could create threats from different areas of the pitch rather than relying on Ronaldo as their primary attacking reference point.
Nevertheless, replacing Ronaldo’s influence will be a considerable challenge for Jorge Jesus. His importance to Portugal has never been limited to goals and appearances; he has also been a defining figure in the team’s sporting identity and global profile.
Jose Mourinho previously highlighted just how significant that influence has been. Speaking to beIN Sports in March 2026, the current Real Madrid coach suggested that Portugal would be an ordinary team without their iconic forward.
That assessment underlines the scale of the challenge facing the national side. Portugal may have enough attacking talent to become more unpredictable and dangerous, but they will also need to develop a new identity without the player who has defined an entire generation.
Ronaldo’s departure could ultimately mark the beginning of a more collective attacking approach. Whether that makes Portugal a stronger team remains to be seen, but the numbers suggest they have plenty of reasons for optimism.
