Lisbon, Dec. 24 -- Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said that 40-year-old iconic striker Cristiano Ronaldo remains a crucial starter for the national side as the FIFA World Cup 2026 draws closer, saying that football legend's hunger for betterment is "contagious".

The 40-year-old Al Nassr star, who scored five goals in five World Cup qualifiers appearances with his team topping their group with four victories in six, missed the final game of the qualifiers due to suspension after being handed a red card during his side's 2-0 loss to Ireland.

The 40-year-old striker was expected to miss at least one World Cup game next summer, but FIFA opted to suspend the final two matches of his three-match ban, meaning that he would play in Portugal'...