Ronaldo rewarding the faith shown in him by Portugal boss Martinez

When Cristiano Ronaldo made the move to Saudi Arabia at the turn of the year, the perception was that he was doing so as one final big payday before calling time on his career. Few could have predicted a deluge of top-level talent to follow the Portuguese star to the Middle East in the months to follow. Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez, to name three, now all ply their trade in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo set the trend. 

The move came following his release from Manchester United two days after the World Cup started and two days before Portugal's Qatar 2022 group stage opener against Ghana. Ronaldo netted the opener in the 3-2 win over the Black Stars, from the penalty spot no less, but after that goal; the experienced forward contributed little of note.

That he was dropped from Portugal's last-16 meeting with Switzerland, and his replacement Goncalo Ramos bagged a hat-trick and claimed an assist in the 6-1 thumping of the Swiss, suggested that, on the international stage, Ronaldo's career was very much in its death roes. His long-term successor had come in and bagged a hat-trick after all. Then as Portugal exited the competition at the quarter-final stage at the hands of underdogs Morocco suggested a changing of the guard was looming. 

Fernando Santo was axed as Portugal boss with Roberto Martinez replacing the 69-year-old as Selecao boss, and Ronaldo was expected to play a bit-part role, if that, in the next era. Martinez, though, had other ideas. "For Cristiano, he wasn’t ready to step away. He was ready and wanting to be a part of the new cycle and at that point it was very easy to include him into the March camp and then you can make a football decision," the Spaniard said earlier this year. 

And Martinez has been rewarded for the faith he has shown in the Portugal captain. Last time out, Portugal booked their Euro 2024 spot as they beat Slovakia 3-2 in Porto. Ronaldo bagged goals number six and seven of the Euros qualification campaign; only Romelu Lukaku (9) has netted more at the time of writing. 

Despite his age - Ronaldo turns 39 in February - he ranks fourth for total minutes played (503) for Portugal in qualifying. The former United frontman always had the physical capabilities to play well into his late 30s and early 40s, but do be performing to this level for his national team is a feat in itself. What really stands out though is that Martinez is coaxing out a side to Ronaldo's game that few thought would be possible. 

At his stage of his career, you'd be forgiven for tasking Ronaldo with merely putting the ball in the back of the net. As one might expect, Portugal dominate possession. An average of 65.3% is the fifth most of the 53 teams taking part in qualifying, so there is less pressure on Ronaldo to carry out many, if any, defensive duties. And yet, the Al Nassr frontman has won possession in the attacking third 12 times in Euro 2024 qualifying, more than any other player. 

To put that into context, WhoScored have 655 Ronaldo appearances with full Opta coverage on the datebase. In that time, Ronaldo has won possession in the attacking third 337 times. 3.6% of that total has come in just six qualification appearances under Martinez. The former Belgium boss is a miracle worker. 

Of course, he is still carrying out his primary duty to a high standard. Ronaldo's scored more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities (6) than any other player, while of the 84 players to have fired off 10 or more shots in Euro 2024 qualifying, a conversion rate of 28% ranks 11th. Portugal are creating the chances - 13.6 per game, to be exact, and that ranking sixth - and Ronaldo's tucking them away just as many would expect. 

Now Portugal are, along with hosts Germany, France and Belgium, the first nations to qualify for next season's European Championship, with Ronaldo spearheading the charge for further international glory. Few could have foreseen the experienced forward having this sort of impact for the national team following their early 2022 World Cup exit, yet Martinez has the Selecao playing exciting football befitting of the world class personnel at his disposal. With Ronaldo at his goalscoring best on the Portugal frontline, football fans may well witness a repeat of their Euro 2016 heroics in Germany next year.