Why Substituting Ronaldo Made No Sense — Martinez

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has defended his decision to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch for the full 90 minutes in their opening 2026 World Cup match against DR Congo.

The match, played in Houston, ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw for Portugal, with Ronaldo unable to make a decisive impact despite playing the entire game.

The 41-year-old forward came under criticism from fans and pundits after the match, with some arguing that his presence slowed down Portugal’s attacking flow. However, Martinez has dismissed such claims and strongly backed his captain.

According to the Portuguese coach, substituting Ronaldo during a game where goals were urgently needed would have made little sense, given his record and ability in front of goal.

“It made no sense at all to take off Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the best goalscorer in history, off the field when we were looking for goals,” Martinez said.

He insisted that Ronaldo’s experience and finishing ability remain crucial for the team, especially in tight World Cup matches where chances can be limited.

Despite the criticism, Martinez maintained that the decision was based on trust in the striker’s ability to deliver at any moment, even when not at his best.

The result leaves Portugal needing a stronger performance in their next group game against Uzbekistan, where pressure will be on both the team and Ronaldo to respond.

Ronaldo, now 41, continues to divide opinion, but Martinez’s comments underline the coach’s firm belief that the veteran forward still plays a key role in Portugal’s World Cup ambitions.

Portugal will be hoping for a sharper attacking display as they aim to secure their first win of the tournament.