Cristiano Ronaldo has spent more than two decades proving doubters wrong, but Portugal's World Cup last‑16 showdown against Spain could offer the clearest evidence yet of whether the 41‑year‑old still belongs in Roberto Martínez's strongest starting XI.
Ronaldo remains Portugal's captain and all‑time leading scorer, yet questions over his role have intensified as younger team‑mates increasingly shoulder the team's creative burden.
