Ronaldo at 45? Mills says Portugal star faces coaching role over starting spot at 2030 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo is defying his age at the 2026 World Cup, but former England defender Danny Mills believes the 41-year-old’s days as a Portugal starter are numbered — and that a player-coach role may be the most realistic path to the 2030 tournament.

Ronaldo has two goals to his name so far, including a brace against Uzbekistan, and remains Roberto Martinez’s first-choice striker as Portugal prepare for the round of 32. He is among the oldest players at the tournament, surpassed only by Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is 43.

By the time the 2030 World Cup arrives, Ronaldo would be 45. Mills acknowledged that his current fitness levels make a full retirement seem premature, but stopped short of predicting another starting berth on football’s biggest stage.

“Unless Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the player-coach for Portugal at the next World Cup, I can’t see him playing,” Mills said. “I’m not sure you can justify starting Ronaldo for Portugal in four years’ time. He’s one injury away from being done; the body doesn’t heal or recover anywhere near as effectively once you enter your 40s. He’ll be involved in one way or another in 2030, but I think it’s a dream to imagine him in the starting XI.”

Mills was quick to acknowledge Ronaldo’s enduring quality, but raised doubts about whether Portugal’s squad dynamic would accommodate a coaching influence from the veteran forward. “I think there are a few too many egos and star players who won’t be buying into the idea of playing for Ronaldo — in contrast to how the Argentinian squad is built to serve Lionel Messi,” he said.

The comments arrive amid growing scrutiny of Martinez’s decision to keep Ronaldo in the starting XI ahead of younger options, most notably Goncalo Ramos, who has been restricted to a bench role. Mills described the situation as a “delicate” balancing act for the Portugal manager.

“If Martinez leaves Ronaldo out of the starting XI and Portugal don’t win a game, he’ll be criticised,” Mills said. “Similarly, if Portugal lose with Ronaldo on the pitch for 90 minutes, he’ll also face criticism. It’s a very delicate and difficult management decision.”

Martinez faces an immediate test of that judgment as Portugal advance deeper into the knockout rounds, with the question of whether Ronaldo adds more than he takes away growing louder with each match.