Cristiano Ronaldo may be football’s all-time leading goalscorer – but he looks past it on the international stage for Portugal.That’s the view of former Ireland international Stephen Hunt, who believes Portugal could fare better at the 2026 World Cup without the Al Nassr striker. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be 41-years-old by the time the global tournament starts next summer.And if Portugal’s 9-1 win over Armenia on Sunday is anything to go by, Roberto Martinez’s men may not need their skipper to succeed.Ronaldo was suspended for his side’s final World Cup qualifier following his red card in the 2-0 defeat to Ireland last week.Receiving his first sending off on the international stage for a flailing elbow on Dara O’Shea, the ex-Manchester United forward could be suspended for the start of the World Cup should a disciplinary committee punish him for violent conduct.And while Portugal are claimed to be ready to make an appeal to FIFA over Ronaldo, the stats show that the Selecao are more than capable of being successful without him.Ron the way out?Without Ronaldo in the team, Portugal have lost just two out of their last 24 matches in all competitions stretching back to 2016.They even won Euro 2016 and the Nations League earlier this year despite Ronaldo going off in the final in both games when the scores were level.In comparison, Ronaldo has been on the losing side twice in 2025 for Portugal.Though he has been in stunning form – chipping in with eight goals across a combined nine Nations League and World Cup qualifying matches.It has brought his tally to a record-extending 143 goals on the international stage – and he will now be looking to become the first player to reach 150 goals some time next year.Ronaldo was sent off for an elbow on O’Shea – much to the delight of the home fansGettyRonaldo failed to score in any of his World Cup qualifiers against Ireland in 2025GettyHowever, despite his incredible scoring record – which has seen Ronaldo score ten goals for Al Nassr this term – Hunt has declared he doesn’t look like the player he once was.Speaking on the Sports Breakfast Show on Monday morning, Hunt, who played 39 times for Ireland between 2007-2012, suggested that Portugal’s win over Armenia could cause ‘friction’.Hunt, who played against Ronaldo during his time at Reading, said: “I don’t think Ronaldo could really move on the pitch [against Ireland].“I think he’s really struggling to get around international football.“And of course he’s going to be in the Portuguese team [for the World Cup], but they went and won 9-1 last night without him.“So that will cause a bit of friction too for sure.”No player boasts more international appearances or goals than Portugal skipper RonaldoHunt has also told talkSPORT that he believes his mentality has changed, as he cited the player’s pre-match pleas to Ireland’s fans.In his bid not to be targeted by the hostile crowd in Dublin, Ronaldo spoke of his promise to be a ‘good boy’ to stop any potential negative reaction coming his way.Those comments ultimately backfired spectacularly, as not only was he shown a straight red card, but he turned out to be public enemy number one.Commenting on the veteran, Hunt remarked: “His interview the day before the game was really strange in my opinion.“It didn’t feel like Ronaldo, ‘Don’t boo me tomorrow,’ or whatever.“Normally he likes to be the bad boy, he likes the centre of attention and it was almost like he was looking for the attention and love of the Irish fans.Ronaldo has lifted three trophies as Portugal’s skipper, and he will be hoping to add the World Cup to his collection next yearGetty“Well, he certainly got that, and as he was leaving the pitch, it was honestly like a pantomime.“I know it’s Christmas, but the Irish fans were loving it and they cheered him off.“And listen, they were respectful of him during the game, he ain’t the Ronaldo of old for sure.“He didn’t really move too well in the game watching him and how he was playing, but obviously he’s very dangerous in the box.”