Martinez explains keeping Ronaldo on despite missed chances vs Nigeria
Portugal beat Nigeria 2-1 in a friendly on Wednesday night, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo missing several chances before being replaced by Gonçalo Ramos in the 65th minute. Head coach Roberto Martinez said he had a 60-minute plan for Ronaldo, while goalkeeper Diogo Costa was set to play the full 90 minutes and other players had staggered minutes. Martinez praised the squad's attitude and focus, adding that making synchronized changes is a source of pride.
The result keeps Portugal's preparations for the 2026 World Cup on track, as they now look ahead to their opener against DR Congo next Wednesday. Ronaldo, aged 41, will aim to improve his goal-scoring form in that match. Martinez's comments reveal a clear rotational strategy aimed at managing player workloads while maintaining team cohesion.
With Portugal's World Cup campaign approaching, will Ronaldo bounce back against DR Congo, or should Martinez reconsider his usage of the aging star in high-stakes games?