Lisbon, March 22 (NationPress) Portugal's head coach, Roberto Martinez, has rejected claims that renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is preoccupied with achieving the 1,000-goal milestone. Instead, he emphasized that the experienced striker is concentrating on the team's overall success rather than his individual statistics.

Currently boasting over 950 career goals, Ronaldo continues to represent both Portugal and Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr. However, he recently suffered a muscle injury that will keep him off the field for a few weeks, leading to his omission from Portugal’s squad for the ongoing international friendlies as a precautionary measure.

Despite this challenge, Ronaldo has maintained excellent form this season, consistently finding the back of the net for his club while upholding a remarkable goals-per-game ratio. His strong performances have bolstered confidence that he will play a significant role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Martinez dismissed the notion of Ronaldo being obsessed with records, pointing out his team-focused contributions during previous tournaments.

“I disagree with that view. If Cristiano had approached the European Championship with the sole aim of breaking records, he wouldn’t have assisted Bruno Fernandes against Turkey,” he stated, as reported by Goal.com.

The coach highlighted that the Portugal squad, particularly its experienced players, prioritizes team success over personal accolades.

“It's not accurate to say our players are fixated on records or personal goals. During the European Championship, what I observed was a profound sense of responsibility among the seasoned players, striving for top performance,” he further explained.

When questioned if Ronaldo had established any individual goals, Martinez reiterated that such discussions are irrelevant to the player’s mindset.

“No, because I don't see Cristiano playing with anxiety or a specific aim to reach 1,000 goals. Whether he has 950 or 1,050 goals, his legacy remains unchanged. That's just external chatter,” he asserted.

Additionally, Martinez underscored Ronaldo’s decision-making skills and his capability to create chances for his teammates as vital components of his game.

“We’re discussing a forward who has recorded 25 goals in 30 matches. However, I place greater value on his behavior in the box. Cristiano doesn’t exhibit the obsession that people speculate about regarding his 1,000th goal. His conduct doesn’t align with that notion. I cannot speak for the club, but here with the national team, it’s not the case,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Portugal finds itself in a challenging Group K alongside Uzbekistan and Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with their campaign set to commence on June 17. Ronaldo is anticipated to spearhead the team in their quest for the coveted World Cup trophy.