Martínez Stands by Ronaldo

Roberto Martínez, Portugal's coach, continues to defend Cristiano Ronaldo despite his recent performances. Ronaldo has not scored in ten consecutive internationals and has not made a field goal in the European Championship or World Cup since 2021. Martínez praises Ronaldo's dedication and physical condition, stating it's logical to keep him on the field. Ronaldo's critics argue that Martínez is holding on to the past, similar to his time with Belgium. Martínez previously led Belgium to a third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup but failed to replicate the success in subsequent tournaments.

Martínez backs Ronaldo for full 90 minutes despite media doubts

The team's aging roster, including players like Jan Vertonghen and Dries Mertens, contributed to their decline. Kevin De Bruyne attributed their poor performance to the team's old age. Portugal's current situation raises concerns about the team's reliance on older players, including Ronaldo. Ronaldo's opponent, Ngalayel Mukau, stated that he didn't need a plan to stop Ronaldo because he's not the same player he used to be. Martínez, however, remains confident in Ronaldo's abilities and believes he will step aside when he feels it's time.