Former FC Porto and Portugal defender Ricardo Costa has backed Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued presence in the national team setup, arguing the veteran forward deserves credit for maintaining elite-level performance.
Speaking to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Costa said Ronaldo’s longevity at the highest level should be acknowledged regardless of selection debates surrounding the squad.
“I think we should acknowledge Cristiano Ronaldo’s merit for continuing to compete at the highest level,” Costa said. “The coach made the decisions he considered most appropriate for the team.”
Costa, who earned over 40 caps for Portugal, suggested scrutiny of Ronaldo’s role often intensifies when results fall short of expectations. “If Portugal had progressed to the final, these choices probably would not be so widely discussed,” he added.
The former centre-back, who also played for Valencia, Wolfsburg and Granada during his club career, pointed to a double standard in how football legends are assessed in major tournaments. He referenced Lionel Messi’s quiet showing in a World Cup final defeat to Spain, noting the Argentine’s performance attracted far less criticism.
“Messi didn’t show up in the final against Spain either, and nobody talks much about that,” Costa said.
Ronaldo, now 40, remains Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and most capped player. His international future has been a recurring topic since the 2022 World Cup, where he started on the bench in the knockout stages. Coach Roberto Martínez has since retained the Al Nassr forward as a regular starter, citing his professionalism and goal output.
Portugal’s next competitive fixtures come in the Nations League quarter-finals, with a two-legged tie against Denmark scheduled for March. Ronaldo is expected to feature as the team targets a second Nations League title after their 2019 triumph.