Portugal Depend On Ronaldo, Fernandes Says Team Is Not Better Without Him

Bruno Fernandes insists Portugal do not function better without Cristiano Ronaldo, despite fresh debate around the captain’s role before the 2026 World Cup. Questions resurfaced after Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1 without Ronaldo, shortly after a defeat to the Republic of Ireland in which Ronaldo received the first red card of the international career.

Portugal have already secured a place at the 2026 World Cup by finishing top of qualification Group F ahead of the Republic of Ireland. Roberto Martinez’s side collected 13 points from six matches and scored 20 goals, with Ronaldo leading the scoring on five, while Fernandes and Joao Neves followed on two each.

The contrast between the Ireland and Armenia matches fuelled suggestions that Martinez’s

team might be more effective without Ronaldo. Portugal lost 2-0 to Ireland in the penultimate group fixture, then produced a dominant performance at Estadio Do Dragao. Against Armenia, Fernandes and Neves each claimed hat-tricks, while Renato Veiga, Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao also scored.

Those displays encouraged some observers to claim Portugal were more fluid without the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Fernandes firmly rejected that idea, stressing the different qualities within the squad. "Cristiano, inside the box, continues to be a very high-level player," Fernandes said. "He draws defenders and creates space for other players. If Cristiano doesn’t play and Goncalo does, Goncalo is strong in pressing and good at diagonal runs.

"When I’m not playing and Bernardo [Silva] is playing as a number 10, Bernardo gives you more possession, I make more of a final pass. It’s all like that. All players add things and take away others. Cristiano is the same as us. We have to know how to adapt and enhance each other’s qualities so that the national team benefits. "

Ronaldo’s place in Portugal’s history is already secure after 143 goals in 226 international appearances. During the current qualification campaign, a brace against Hungary in October took Ronaldo to the top of the all-time World Cup qualifying scoring list. That double moved Ronaldo to 41 goals, two ahead of previous record-holder Carlos Ruiz on 39.

Ronaldo’s international future appeared uncertain at the 2022 World Cup, when Fernando Santos left the captain on the bench for knockout matches. Under Roberto Martinez, however, Ronaldo returned as a central figure and has remained a regular starter. Fernandes believes any drop in fluency with Ronaldo on the pitch is the responsibility of the team, not the striker alone.

"I know what people think, that it’s clear we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are freer and more fluid," Fernandes said. "I think that, if that happens, it’s partly our fault. We can’t worry if Cristiano is on the pitch, because Cristiano can give us things. "

Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo and World Cup 2026 ambitions

Ronaldo has scored eight goals across World Cup tournaments and could set another historic mark in 2026. If Ronaldo finds the net at the 2026 edition, Ronaldo would become the first player to score in six different World Cups. Yet Ronaldo has never reached a final, with the best run ending in a 1-0 semi-final defeat to France in Germany almost 20 years ago.

None of Ronaldo’s World Cup goals have come in knockout rounds, a statistic often compared with Lionel Messi’s record. Messi scored in every knockout stage match as Argentina lifted the trophy in Qatar. For Ronaldo, turning 40 during 2025, the 2026 World Cup is widely expected to be the last chance to claim the only major trophy missing from the career achievements.

Fernandes accepted the pressure on Portugal but framed it as a shared motivation heading into 2026. "We dream of winning the World Cup and that responsibility is positive," Fernandes said. "We must close ranks as a group and figure out where to improve, and understand that the World Cup won’t be perfect. I know we are prepared to have a great campaign that will bring honour to the country. "