Toni Kroos Explains Ronaldo's Role for Portugal in World Cup

Toni Kroos, a former Real Madrid midfielder, provided insights into why Cristiano Ronaldo continues to start for Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite being 41 years old. Ronaldo began the match against DR Congo on June 17, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

He played the entire 90 minutes but struggled to make a significant impact, recording only 25 touches, with five occurring inside the penalty area. Kroos, who played alongside Ronaldo for four seasons at Real Madrid, emphasized that Ronaldo remains a key player for Portugal not merely due to his name but because he is considered the best striker available to the team.

Ronaldo has earned 229 caps for Portugal over a 23-year international career, holding the record for the most international goals scored with 143.