The November international break has reignited a major question in football: is Portugal stronger with Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup? The debate intensified after his red card against the Republic of Ireland and Portugal’s subsequent 9-1 demolition of Armenia.

Ronaldo, 40, was sent off for swinging an elbow at Dara O’Shea in Portugal’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Ireland. He left the squad and returned to Saudi Arabia, but Portugal’s team bounced back spectacularly, thrashing a much weaker Armenian side 9-1 in their next fixture.

So, does Portugal benefit from having their greatest-ever player on the pitch—or could they thrive without him?

What the Numbers Say

On an individual level, Ronaldo remains the best international footballer in history, boasting 143 goals and 37 assists in 226 appearances. His stats make it hard to argue for his absence, yet questions about Portugal’s dependence on him are not new.

Back in 2022, following a difficult spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo was benched for Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final against Morocco, a match they lost 1-0. Many believed that could mark the end of his international career. Instead, Ronaldo has bounced back, scoring 25 goals in 30 games across all competitions since the 2022 World Cup.

Portugal have played 36 games in that period, meaning Ronaldo missed six. In matches he featured, Portugal have a 70% win rate and average 2.2 goals per game. Without him, the win rate dips slightly to 66.6%, though the team’s goals-per-game figure rises to 4.8—skewed by high-scoring games like the 9-0 victory over Luxembourg. Interestingly, Portugal have managed to score nine goals in two separate matches without Ronaldo, highlighting the squad’s attacking depth in certain circumstances.

Martinez’s Perspective

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has emphasized Ronaldo’s importance but also the need for resilience when key players are absent. After the Armenia win, he said:

“We are better with Ronaldo, Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto. The most important thing is that football is a game of mistakes, of difficulties, of resilience, and when some players aren’t there, we have to find a way to win. I think the important thing is to have all the important players, but also to have confidence and a clear idea that we can win when certain players aren’t in the starting XI.”

Who Could Step Up?

Replacing Ronaldo outright is no easy task. Portugal has few natural number nines capable of filling his shoes. PSG’s Goncalo Ramos has shown promise, scoring and assisting in the win over Armenia, with 10 goals in 22 international games.

Rafael Leao of AC Milan is another option, though his inconsistency and tendency to play wider on the pitch make him less of a direct replacement. As for the next generation, maybe one day Ronaldo Jr. will take up the mantle—but for now, Portugal still relies heavily on his father.

Verdict

The evidence suggests Portugal is stronger with Ronaldo on the pitch. Yet, with the 2026 World Cup approaching and Ronaldo likely in his final tournament, the team must prepare for a future without him. Only time will reveal how Portugal truly fares once the nation’s greatest footballer finally hangs up his boots.