Martinez Defends Keeping Ronaldo on Field Against Colombia, Rejects Messi-Haaland Comparisons

Roberto Martinez, head coach of Portugal's national football team, defended his choice to keep team captain Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch for the entire match against Colombia, despite the 0-0 draw that concluded the third group stage game of the 2026 World Cup.

The Portuguese squad secured only one point from the match, finishing second in their group and setting up a round of 32 encounter with Croatia in the tournament.

Ronaldo did not deliver his best performance during the game; opposing fans jeered him each time he touched the ball. He managed only one shot on goal, a direct free kick that Colombia's goalkeeper easily saved. Nevertheless, the Portugal captain sent a positive message after the match, posting on the platform X: "We are still together."

Martinez Explains Ronaldo's Full Match Participation

In the post-match press conference, Martinez stated, "We wanted to win, but we must respect Colombia; they are a strong team with great quality."

He added that the match provided an important opportunity to implement tactical adjustments and better prepare for upcoming fixtures, noting that the knockout stage is entirely different from the group phase.

The Spanish coach clarified the rationale behind Ronaldo playing all 90 minutes, emphasizing the captain's significance in the attacking system. "Cristiano has distinctive movements inside and around the penalty area, and it was necessary to coordinate the other players' movements with his. What we did was part of developing the team's performance. Ronaldo fulfilled his role well and showed excellent physical condition," Martinez said.

Rejecting Comparisons With Other Stars

Martinez declined to compare his decision to keep Ronaldo on the field with the approaches of Argentina and Norway, who rested Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland respectively, stressing that each team has its own circumstances.

"We do not compare our players to those in other national teams to make decisions; that would be unprofessional. We rely on data and information gathered during matches and training to make the right choice," he explained.

The coach also mentioned managing playing time for other squad members such as João Neves, Rúben Neves, Diogo Dalot, and João Cancelo according to the team's needs.

Focus on Upcoming Match Against Croatia

Martinez concluded by discussing the round of 32 match against Croatia: "We know the Croatian team well, and the squad is ready for this game. From now on, there is no room for mistakes; we must win every match. Our current focus is on restoring the players' physical readiness."