Portugal Coach Calls Criticism “Childish” Over Cristiano Ronaldo Selection Against Colombia
Portugal coach defends Ronaldo decision, dismisses criticism as childish.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has dismissed suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo should have been rested during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match against Colombia, calling such comparisons with other star players “childish.” The remarks came after Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw in a tightly contested fixture.
Martínez responded to questions over squad rotation amid discussions that players like Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland had been managed differently in other matches. He rejected the comparisons outright, stating that each team operates under its own tactical and physical considerations and that Ronaldo’s involvement is not subject to external benchmarks.
The coach defended Ronaldo’s continued role in the starting lineup, highlighting the veteran forward’s discipline, positioning and experience. He said Ronaldo remains effective in Portugal’s attacking structure and emphasised that the team monitors all physical and performance data before making decisions on player workload.
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Martínez further added that playing 90 minutes is not an issue for Ronaldo, though he acknowledged that squad changes could still be made depending on match requirements. He stressed that rotation decisions apply to all players equally and are based on tactical needs and fitness assessments.
Statistically, Ronaldo reached a milestone by making his 25th FIFA World Cup appearance, equalling Germany legend Lothar Matthäus for the second-highest number of appearances in tournament history. Only Argentina captain Lionel Messi, with 29 appearances, has played more matches at the World Cup.
However, Ronaldo’s performance also highlighted an unusual trend, as he was flagged offside 11 times across the last two World Cups combined, the highest for any player in that period. Despite such statistics, Martínez maintained that the Portugal captain continues to play a central role in the team’s plans as they progress through the tournament.
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