Ronaldo steps up but Martinez will be wary over World Cup role

Face of the Saudi Pro League was vital as Al-Nassr won the title but will need to be a team player for Portugal

- John Duerden

Cristiano Ronaldo was after eight trophies in Saudi Arabia - but a league title is not one

Cristiano Ronaldo will report for World Cup duty fresh from winning his first major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022, after Al-Nassr became Saudi Pro League champions last Thursday.

That’s the good news for Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, but there is more to think about when it comes to his biggest name.

Although the domestic season ended all smiles for Ronaldo, five days earlier there was much doom and gloom around his club. Al-Nassr lost the final of the AFC Champions League Two, Asia’s Europa League, to Gamba Osaka of Japan. It was a poor performance and Ronaldo came in for special criticism. Not only did clips of his lack of movement, lack of pressing, missed chances and blocked shots circulate on social media, there was disappointment that, almost as soon as the final whistle went, he left the field, missing the medals’ and trophy presentations.

It was hardly the behaviour of a model professional supposed to be the face of football in Saudi Arabia. Rarely had opinion in the country been so negative and it may have made for worrying reading for Martinez.