Chris Sutton blames Martinez for Ronaldo’s quiet World Cup debut vs DR Congo
Chris Sutton has slammed Portugal’s manager Roberto Martinez after the side’s disappointing 1-1 draw with debutantes DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener. Sutton, a former England striker, called the performance “painful” and “insipidly flat,” saying Ronaldo was on the periphery and the game passed him by. Portugal took an early lead when Joao Neves headed in just seven minutes, but could not hold it, allowing DR Congo to equalise through a header from Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa. The result denied Ronaldo the chance to become the first player ever to score in six different World Cup tournaments. Speaking on talkSPORT, Sutton questioned Martinez’s tactics, saying the manager “has to be brave enough to be the manager” and that he is not acting as the Portugal team’s boss. For Nigerian fans watching the tournament, the result raises questions about Portugal’s ability to advance from a tough group and whether Ronaldo’s role will diminish as the competition progresses. Will Martinez adjust his approach to give Ronaldo more influence, or will Portugal continue to rely on younger players while the veteran star looks for impact from the sidelines?