'Childish' to compare Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, says Roberto Martinez after Portugal's 2026 FIFA World Cup stalemate against Colombia
Updated 29/06/2026 at 18:09 GMT+1
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Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said comparing Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland would be "childish", after the 41-year-old played every minute of his team's goalless draw against Colombia in the final match of their World Cup group.
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While Messi and Haaland were rested by Argentina and Norway respectively, with qualification for the round of 32 already secured, Ronaldo started a third successive game at the tournament.
He struggled to make an impact following his brace against Uzbekistan, with Colombia on top in Miami.
Asked why Ronaldo - who is now the first player to score at six separate World Cups - was not rested like Messi and Haaland, Martinez said: "We don't compare with other players of other teams. That would be childish.
"Cristiano is used to being in the right place at the right time. It's more a question of mentally being strong, and always being disciplined in position, and always opening space in our attacking patterns.
"It's not an issue for Cristiano to play 90 minutes, but maybe the next game we need to make a change, but that's like any other player.
"We have used 21 outfield players, so we do share the minutes."
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Martinez said his decisions will be informed by fitness data.
"We monitor all the information we get in games, what we do in training games, and there is always an opportunity to make changes," he added.
"Today, we used Joao Neves and Ruben Neves for 45 minutes. We did the same with Diogo Dalot and Joao Cancelo, because different positions have different needs.
"There are some players who are not at full fitness, but all of the data we collect is very important in helping us make those decisions."
Failing to beat Colombia meant Portugal finished second in Group K, and they will face Croatia in the last 32 in Toronto.
If they win that, Portugal could face the unenviable task of beating European champions Spain in the last 16.
While topping their group might have meant a more favourable draw, Martinez insisted the priority was simply to go through.
"Now it's time to adjust, improve, and steer the matches where we want them, with more possession and better control," he said.
"This is part of the World Cup, part of the existing tactics, and, as I said, we needed these three matches to reach our best level. It was a very valuable match.
"We want to be here for eight matches, and it is a different tournament now."
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He added: "Without a doubt, we arrive much more confident and much more prepared. It's a team that faces difficult moments, that manages to improve, that manages to be more united in the psychological aspect, in terms of responsibility and confidence.
"But that's part of the process. We need to look at the three performances - not just today's - [and] improve the aspects we need to adjust, and maintain the good aspects.
"We are in a good moment, because, as I said, we have 21 outfield players who have already had the opportunity to be on the pitch, and I feel that the team is prepared for the next game."
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