Roberto Martinez says Ronaldo has no issue playing 90 minutes
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez says playing 90 minutes is not a physical problem for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the Selecao's World Cup Round of 32 clash with Croatia on July 3. Martinez insists his staff tracks fitness data in real time, Ronaldo has completed every group-stage minute, and the captain remains central to Portugal's attack despite renewed debate over his role.
Key Takeaways
- Roberto Martinez told reporters that Ronaldo's physical and mental condition is not in question after Portugal's 0-0 draw with Colombia.
- Ronaldo played all 270 group-stage minutes and was not substituted even during Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan.
- Martinez hinted tactical changes are possible against Croatia but has consistently praised Ronaldo's movement and space creation.
- Analysts argue Portugal's stagnant midfield—not Ronaldo's minutes—is the bigger World Cup problem under Martinez.
- Portugal finished second in Group K and face a Croatia side they know well from past tournaments, including EURO 2016.
Why is Roberto Martinez defending Ronaldo's full-match workload?
After Portugal's goalless draw with Colombia, Cristiano Ronaldo touched the ball just 35 times and drew fresh comparisons to Lionel Messi, who rested against Jordan before entering from the bench. Martinez pushed back: "We don't compare our players with anyone else when making decisions. That would be childish."
The coach told media that his staff monitors physical and mental data for every player. Ronaldo, he said, is in excellent shape after the Colombia match. Martinez rejected suggestions that Portugal should rotate stars the way other nations have.
Has Ronaldo really played every minute at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Ronaldo completed all 90 minutes in Portugal's three group matches—against DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Martinez did not withdraw him even when Portugal led Uzbekistan 4-0 after 60 minutes en route to a 5-0 win, with Ronaldo already on the scoresheet twice.
That pattern has fueled debate over whether a 41-year-old striker should carry a knockout-round load. Martinez left the door open before the Croatia tie in Toronto, saying, "Maybe in the next match we need to make a change, but that's like with any other player."
What role does Martinez see for Ronaldo beyond goals?
Martinez has described Ronaldo as Portugal's "absolute striker"—a player who makes intelligent runs into the box and forces defenders to focus on him. That attention, the coach argues, creates space for Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Rafael Leão, and João Felix to attack from deeper positions.
"Cristiano is used to being in the right place at the right time," Martinez said, citing mental strength, positional discipline, and the ability to generate attacking room. For a squad built around possession with quick transitions, that off-ball value is why Martinez keeps backing his captain publicly.
Is Ronaldo actually Portugal's biggest World Cup problem?
Not according to tactical analysts. Writing for FotMob, Graham Ruthven argues Portugal's real puzzle is midfield stagnation under Martinez. Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, and Vitinha were expected to dominate, yet Portugal ranked 16th in big chances created and 21st in expected goals through the group stage.
In draws with DR Congo and Colombia, Portugal recycled possession without penetration. Against Uzbekistan, faster movement unlocked Fernandes and fed Ronaldo—but that rhythm vanished in the Colombia stalemate. Martinez called the knockout phase a "second World Cup," acknowledging Croatia's pedigree as 2018 finalists and 2022 bronze medalists.
What does Ronaldo's longevity mean for elite athletes?
At 41, Ronaldo represents an extreme test case in athletic longevity—the kind of edge that longevity and biohacking research increasingly tracks in high-performance sport. Martinez's faith rests on live match data, training loads, and Ronaldo's history of staying available when knockout football demands it.
Ronaldo also carries history against Croatia, including his 900th career goal in Nations League play and Portugal's extra-time escape in EURO 2016. Whether that experience offsets a blunt attack depends on whether Martinez finally unlocks the midfield talent around him.