Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has come to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo despite the veteran striker’s disappointing performance in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Congo in Houston, with Ronaldo playing the full 90 minutes without making his usual impact on the game, prompting criticism from fans and analysts, who have questioned his place in the starting line-up.
The attention was heavy on the Portuguese captain, who became the oldest outfield player in World Cup history at the age of 41 years and 132 days. However, the historic record was not accompanied by a performance of the expected level, as the Al-Nassr star remained largely isolated and uninfluenced in the Portuguese attack.
While Lionel Messi shone the day before with a hat-trick against Algeria, Ronaldo had a hard time finding space and risking the opposing goal against the Congolese.
Despite Portugal desperately searching for the winning goal, Martinez decided not to replace Ronaldo. The Spanish coach stressed that the captain’s presence on the pitch remains an important tactical weapon for the team.
“It makes no sense to take the best goalscorer in world football out of the game in a match where you need goals. In moments like these, Cristiano Ronaldo’s experience inside the box is very important,” Martinez declared.
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“His ability to draw opposing defenders is very valuable. The way we can exploit the spaces created by him is also important. Every player has their own responsibilities and qualities, but when you are looking for goals, you need Cristiano Ronaldo,” he added.
As the tournament continues, attention on Martinez’s decision to trust Ronaldo is expected to grow even more, especially ahead of upcoming Group K matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia.
