CORNERFLICK
Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in Portugal’s World Cup starting line-up may be easier to judge than many expected, with fresh data pointing to a player still operating at a very high physical level.
The forward has never scored in the knockout stages of a World Cup, one of the few gaps on an otherwise decorated career that includes Euro 2016 and five Champions League titles. He now has a chance to go after the biggest prize in international football, just as Lionel Messi did in 2022.
According to WHOOP data from the 2025-26 season, Ronaldo finished 45 of his 46 matches in the “green or yellow” zone, the platform’s measure of match readiness based on fitness, recovery and the ability to perform at a high level.
He also reached a 98% match-readiness rate across the season. WHOOP said that was supported by routines including sauna use, ice baths, hot baths, breathing exercises, stretching and red light therapy.
Ronaldo is 41 and ended the season by helping Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League. He also posted 34 goal contributions in 37 games, adding to the case for Portugal to keep him central at the 2026 World Cup.