The True Mentor of Portuguese Football

In the Euro 2016 final, Portugal faced host nation France for the chance to lift the coveted continental trophy. Cameras captured both coaches on the sidelines — France's Didier Deschamps giving instructions to his players, and Portugal's Fernando Santos demanding total focus from his team. But something unusual was happening that summer night in Saint-Denis. When the cameras panned to the benches, it seemed there weren't just two coaches shouting instructions… but three. Dressed in his red kit, with his knee heavily bandaged, was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo had always dreamed of that moment — leading Portugal to the final of a major international tournament. And that's exactly what he did. Wearing the captain's armband, he scored three goals during the competition to help his team reach that stage.

This wasn't his first close call either; he had previously helped Portugal reach the Euro 2004 final, and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012. Whenever he appeared, he was decisive, driving the team towards victory.

But now, perhaps in the most important match of his career, Ronaldo was forced to leave the field after suffering a serious injury in the first half. Unable to help his team on the pitch, he decided to do what he could: become Fernando Santos's right-hand man. Limping, he remained on the sidelines, guiding and motivating his teammates throughout the match. 

Euro 2016: The Birth of the Player-Coach

In extra time, Éder scored the winning goal, and Portugal became European champions.

The title was the country's first major international trophy in history. After the final whistle, Ronaldo collapsed onto the pitch, crying tears of joy. His teammates embraced him in celebration. They knew they couldn't have achieved it without him. Even from the bench, Ronaldo's presence, encouraging and supporting, had been fundamental.

And while Ronaldo is loved and respected for various aspects of his career and playing style, we should never underestimate his importance as a leadership figure in the Portuguese national team. It was this characteristic that propelled the team to victory in 2016, and also allowed them to win the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Euro 2016 itself, during the quarter-final between Portugal and Poland. The match had ended in a draw and was to be decided by penalties. João Moutinho, the Portuguese midfielder, seemed uncertain, feeling the pressure of his nation weighing on his shoulders. But the cameras captured an incredible moment: Ronaldo encouraging his teammate, not letting him crumble, saying: “Go take it. Go. [...] Show some personality. You shoot well! It's in God's hands now.” Receiving such a vote of confidence from a man who has scored over 100 penalties in his career was all Moutinho needed — he stepped up and scored his penalty.

Mentor to Stars: Impact on Portugal's New Generation

Bruno Fernandes, who has become one of Portugal's key figures in the national team, also spoke about the importance of Ronaldo's leadership and support in his international career. In 2020, he recounted how, during his first call-up, it was Ronaldo who approached him, making him feel welcome. Fernandes also states that when he was in negotiations to sign with Manchester United, Ronaldo encouraged his former club to believe in his Portuguese teammate: “The fact that Cristiano gave very good references to everyone who tried to speak to him before my signing makes me proud of what I have been doing — that a player like him recognizes my value.”

The Echo of a Star in the Dressing Room

But perhaps Ronaldo's greatest contribution to the Portuguese national team is simply existing — being Ronaldo. Regardless of age, club, or coach, he remains consistent. He never stops working. At 41, many would already be retired, but he remains relentless, chasing the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals.

João Félix, his club and national teammate, summed it up well: “All of Cristiano's efforts and what he does on the field, which he has experienced more than all of us combined, what he gives every day and in every match, is unique. And to see him, at 40, doing what he does only gives us more motivation.”

Ronaldo's attitude of refusing to give up, of refusing to accept anything less than his best, is contagious. Many of Portugal's current stars grew up aspiring to be like him, and this mentality was absorbed from a very young age. It seems no coincidence that today, Portugal is one of the strongest national teams in the world.

Portugal's current coach, Roberto Martínez, never tires of praising Ronaldo, understanding that his job is something many coaches could only dream of — working with one of the greatest athletes of all time. He also recognizes the necessity of Ronaldo's presence in the team — inspiring every teammate, every day. Here is a player in his 40s, who has represented the national team for over two decades, who was essential in winning Portugal's first major international trophy — and who isn't slowing down. He trains hard, offers suggestions, provides leadership, and encourages younger players. It's this work ethic that Martínez likes to see reflected throughout the dressing room: “As the national team coach, I believe I have a responsibility to give young players the opportunity to work with a Cristiano Ronaldo, who is an example.”

The Defining Presence of the National Team

And Ronaldo, of course, is well aware of his essential role in the team's morale and performance. That's why Martínez calls him 'chameleonic' — he is willing to adapt in any way to help his teammates and achieve victory. He changes position, playing style, but remains the star we all know. And if something unexpected happens, if he is forced to leave the most important match of his life on a stretcher because his body simply can't take the pain of the injury anymore, he will remain part of the team as a leadership figure, as a leader, as a supporter, as an older brother, as an inspiration.

As he himself said: “I try to lead in a way that I consider productive. I want to be a player who helps others, someone they can admire, see as a role model, and be a good professional. I like to do things by example, as I often say.”

After all, although he may be one of the most individually decorated players in the history of the sport, although he has won the Ballon d'Or five times and been nominated a record 18 times, Ronaldo understands that he is a team player. He knows that to achieve eternal glory in football, one must not only focus on one's own performance but also on the performance of one's teammates. It is necessary to encourage them, to motivate them when things get tough. This attitude, along with his personal commitment to the sport, is what makes Cristiano Ronaldo such an important figure for Portugal and for the rest of the world.