LISBON — Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has issued a robust defense of Cristiano Ronaldo’s central role in the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the 41-year-old captain as an iconic figure whose influence and leadership remain essential despite questions about his age and the emergence of younger attackers.

In a recent interview, Martinez praised Ronaldo’s extraordinary commitment and on-field impact, pushing back against recurring debates about whether the all-time leading international goalscorer should step aside. The comments come as Portugal prepares for what is widely expected to be Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance.

“A unique footballer that has changed the game,” Martinez said. “His commitment to the game is still an example for many young players. Twenty-one years of service to the national team, 227 games for the national team. No other player has done that. The number of goals. All those figures make Cristiano Ronaldo iconic.”

Martinez emphasized Ronaldo’s value as a No. 9, highlighting his movement, timing, finishing and ability to create space for teammates. “The influence of Cristiano Ronaldo as a No. 9, the movement, the timing of the movement, the finishing, the way he opens spaces, the way that he can influence the defensive back line of the opposition, that’s a big, big strength,” he added.

Ronaldo’s Remarkable Longevity

Ronaldo has scored a record 143 international goals across more than 226 appearances for Portugal, a tally unmatched in the history of the game. His contributions have been pivotal in major successes, including the 2016 European Championship title and the recent UEFA Nations League triumph.

After moving to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia following the 2022 World Cup, many anticipated a decline in his international impact. Instead, Ronaldo has continued producing, scoring in the Nations League semifinals and final in 2025 and adding five goals during World Cup qualifying. His recent Saudi Pro League title further underscores his enduring competitiveness.

Martinez made clear that Ronaldo’s presence provides tactical and psychological advantages that are difficult to replicate. The veteran’s ability to stretch defenses and inspire teammates remains a key asset for a Portugal squad regarded as one of the most talented in the tournament.

Squad Strength and Group Stage Outlook

Portugal enters Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. The draw offers a mix of physical and technical challenges, with matches scheduled in Houston and Miami. The team boasts impressive depth, featuring stars such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Rafael Leao, but Martinez sees Ronaldo as integral rather than replaceable.

The coach’s strong endorsement aims to quiet speculation and foster unity as the squad finalizes preparations. Portugal’s blend of experience and youth positions it among the contenders, with many analysts viewing it as a potential dark horse for a deep run or even the title.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Ronaldo’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup appearance would tie him with the record. His longevity has defied repeated predictions of decline, and speculation persists about a possible role in the 2030 tournament, which Portugal will co-host. For now, focus remains on 2026, where Ronaldo seeks to add to his legendary international résumé.

Martinez has overseen a successful period for Portugal, including strong performances in the Nations League and consistent qualification results. His tactical approach leverages Ronaldo’s strengths while integrating younger talents, creating a balanced and dangerous side.

Preparation and Broader Context

As the tournament nears, Portugal’s training camp will emphasize fitness, cohesion and adapting to North American conditions. Ronaldo’s leadership and professionalism set the tone for the group, with younger players drawing inspiration from his work ethic.

The 2026 World Cup’s expanded 48-team format increases opportunities for strong performances, but Group K still demands focus and execution. A strong start against DR Congo could set a positive tone for the campaign.

Public and Fan Sentiment

Ronaldo remains a national icon in Portugal, with widespread support for his continued inclusion. Fans value his dedication and clutch performances, viewing him as a symbol of resilience and excellence. Martinez’s comments are likely to resonate positively with supporters eager to see their captain shine on the global stage once more.

The debate over Ronaldo’s role reflects broader discussions in international football about balancing legacy players with emerging talent. Martinez’s stance underscores a philosophy that prioritizes current impact and team needs over arbitrary age considerations.

Tournament Ambitions

Portugal enters the competition with realistic hopes of advancing far. The squad’s quality, combined with Ronaldo’s experience, creates a potent mix. Success would depend on collective performance, but the captain’s presence provides a focal point and motivational edge.

As preparations intensify, all eyes will be on how Ronaldo performs in what could be his farewell World Cup. His ability to influence matches at 41 remains a testament to his dedication and skill.

Martinez’s firm backing of Ronaldo sends a clear message: the veteran remains a vital part of Portugal’s plans. With the tournament fast approaching, the team will look to translate that confidence into results on the pitch in North America this summer.

The coach’s words reinforce the special place Ronaldo holds in Portuguese football history. As the squad aims for glory, his leadership and goal threat will be central to their aspirations in the 2026 World Cup.

During an Oval Office signing event, President Donald Trump said, “I love the inflation” in response to a reporter’s question about news that it had surged to a three-year high of 4.2%.

The president also revealed that the US has been “taking out millions of barrels of oil” from Iran, saying Tehran didn’t know about it “until right now”.

Despite its recent climb, Trump insisted that inflation will “come down like a rock” after the war is over.

Read more here.

Shares of CMR Green Technologies attracted institutional interest on their market debut, with a Goldman Sachs-managed fund picking up shares worth nearly Rs 50 crore through a bulk deal on Wednesday. According to NSE bulk deal data, Goldman Sachs India Equity Portfolio purchased 19.41 lakh shares of CMR Green Technologies at an average price of Rs 256.64 per share. The transaction was valued at about Rs 49.82 crore.

The purchase came on the same day the stock made a strong stock market debut, listing at a premium of around 43% over its issue price of Rs 192.

CMR Green Technologies had launched a Rs 630.88 crore initial public offering, which was entirely an offer-for-sale (OFS) by existing shareholders. The issue received an overwhelming response from investors, getting subscribed 127.07 times overall.

Institutional investors led the demand, with the qualified institutional buyer (QIB) portion subscribed 270.46 times, while the non-institutional investor (NII) category was booked 172.35 times. The retail portion attracted bids worth 27.08 times the shares on offer.

The strong subscription and listing performance reflect investor optimism around the company’s position in India’s growing recycled metals and aluminium recycling industry.

Brokerages had highlighted the company’s market leadership and growth prospects ahead of the IPO. Arihant Capital noted that CMR Green’s aluminium recycling capacity is more than four times that of its nearest domestic competitor and pointed to its estimated 42-45% market share in the automotive cast alloy segment.
SBI Securities had also maintained a “Subscribe” rating, citing the company’s installed capacity of 4.7 lakh tonnes per annum and opportunities arising from increasing demand for recycled metals and expansion into wrought aluminium products.Deven Choksey Research said the company is well placed to benefit from long-term themes such as electric vehicle adoption, rising aluminium usage in automobiles, decarbonisation initiatives and India’s push towards a circular economy.

However, analysts have advised caution after the sharp listing gains.

Shivani Nyati, Head of Wealth at Swastika Investmart, said investors should remember that the IPO was entirely an OFS and did not bring fresh capital into the company. She said investors who received allotment could consider booking partial profits while retaining some exposure for the medium term, given the company’s industry positioning. New investors, meanwhile, should wait for a correction or consolidation rather than chase the stock at elevated levels, she added.

Founded in 2006, CMR Green Technologies is among India’s largest non-ferrous metal recyclers. The company manufactures recycled aluminium alloys, zinc alloy ingots, aluminium billets and other recycled metal products used across automotive and industrial applications.

For FY25, the company reported revenue of Rs 6,697 crore and net profit of Rs 155 crore. In the first nine months of FY26 ended December 2025, it posted revenue of Rs 6,291 crore and profit after tax of Rs 162.4 crore, indicating continued operational momentum.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of ET either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Shares of Aegis Vopak Terminals rallied as much as 6% to their day’s high of Rs 203 on the BSE on Wednesday after international brokerage firm Jefferies upgraded the stock to Buy and assigned a fresh target price of Rs 240, implying an upside of 25% from current market levels.

While the brokerage has cut its target price from Rs 255, it believes the recent correction in Aegis Vopak Terminals (AVTL) has been excessive. The stock has fallen 16% since Middle East tensions escalated, compared with an 8% decline in the Nifty. While near-term risks persist, the brokerage expects LPG import volumes to normalise once geopolitical tensions ease.

Jefferies said Aegis remains on track with its expansion plans, with management reiterating an aggregate capex target of $5 billion by FY30 and $1.2 billion by FY27. The company currently operates 1.7 million cubic metres of liquid storage capacity and 225,800 MT of LPG capacity across six ports and aims to expand its presence to 12 ports by 2030.

Capacity additions at JNPT and Kandla ports are progressing as planned and are expected to increase liquid storage capacity by 25% and LPG capacity by 34%, respectively. Management said capacity expansion is being aligned with demand growth. The company is also expanding into ammonia storage, with a 36,000 MT facility under development at Pipavav port. Additionally, the Kandla-Gorakhpur pipeline is expected to be commissioned by September 2026, which could support higher LPG terminal throughput.

“We estimate 4.7% CAGR in LPG demand over FY26-30E, driving 5.3% CAGR in imports. We believe AVTL is also well-placed to capture storage-led growth as the government plans to build an LPG storage reserve to cover 30 days of demand,” the brokerage said in a note.

Jefferies has lowered its FY27 EBITDA estimate for Aegis Vopak Terminals (AVTL) by 22% to factor in the March 2026 quarter miss and the impact of Middle East tensions. However, it has largely retained its FY28 estimates, assuming geopolitical tensions ease over time.
The brokerage has cut its target price to Rs 240 from Rs 255 earlier. The valuation is based on 22x March 2028 estimated EV/EBITDA, compared with 18x for JSW Infrastructure. Jefferies expects AVTL to deliver a 33% EBITDA CAGR between FY28 and FY30, versus 21% for JSW Infrastructure, while achieving broadly similar return ratios by FY28.Key downside risks highlighted by the brokerage include delays in the Kandla-Gorakhpur pipeline project, weaker-than-expected LPG imports or market share gains, and value-dilutive capacity expansion plans.

Aegis Vopak shares are down 20% since the beginning of the year.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)