Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo/Armando Franca) Portugal national football team coach Roberto Martinez has dismissed claims that Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing the 1,000 career goal mark, insisting the veteran remains driven by team success rather than individual milestones.Ronaldo, who has already netted over 950 goals in his career and continues to lead both Portugal and Al Nassr, is currently recovering from a muscle injury that has sidelined him for several weeks. The 41-year-old player was not included in Portugal’s squad for the ongoing international friendly as a precaution.Despite the injury setback, Ronaldo has been in strong form this season, constantly finding the back of the net for his club and keeping an excellent record. His performances have boosted expectations for his participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he is expected to play a vital role.Martinez dismissed the idea that Ronaldo is obsessed with records and pointed to his selfless displays in recent competitions.“I don’t agree. If Cristiano played the European Championship focused on scoring a goal and breaking another record, the assist against Turkey for Bruno Fernandes wouldn’t have happened,” he said, according to Goal.com.The coach emphasized that the mindset in the Portugal camp, especially among the older players, revolves around collective responsibility and performance.“It’s not true that our players have records or personal goals in mind. The only thing I saw at the European Championship was a different kind of responsibility for the more experienced players, a maximum responsibility to give a top performance in the tournament,” he added.When asked about any personal goals set by Ronaldo, Martinez reiterated that such stories do not reflect reality.“No, because I don’t see Cris playing with anxiety or intent to reach 1,000 goals. Whether he has 950 or 1,050 goals, he has the same legacy. It doesn’t change anything. That’s beyond talk,” he said.Martinez also highlighted Ronaldo’s intelligence in the final third, stressing that his decision-making and ability to create chances for teammates remain key assets.“We are talking about a striker who has 25 goals in 30 games. But much more I appreciate the behavior inside the box. And Cristiano does not have the obsession that people talk about from the outside when it comes to his 1,000th goal. Because his behavior is not like that. I can’t say that for the club, but here with the national team it is not like that,” he concluded.Meanwhile, Portugal have been drawn in Group K alongside Uzbekistan and Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with their campaign starting on June 17. Ronaldo is expected to lead the team as they seek their first World Cup title.
