Cristiano Ronaldo was once again in the spotlight as he started in Portugal’s draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the start of the 2026 World Cup, but he touched the ball only 25 times and failed to score. Coach Roberto Martínez did not hesitate to defend the decision to field one of the greatest goal scorers in history, emphasizing the importance of the captain even in a game where his direct impact was limited.
The national team’s debut in the World Cup, held in Houston, was marked by an early goal from João Neves, but also by the equalizer secured by Congo in stoppage time of the first half, thanks to Yoane Wissa. Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer for Portugal with 143 goals, played the full 90 minutes for the first time since November 2025, but he now has four consecutive games for the national team without scoring and only one goal in the last eight matches in knockout stages. His lack of involvement, with only 25 touches on the ball – his second lowest tally in World Cups, surpassed only by the match against the Netherlands in 2006 – sparked discussion and criticism, but Martínez was unequivocal after the final whistle.
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“It’s not logical to substitute the best goalscorer in world football in a game where we need goals,” said Roberto Martínez, justifying Ronaldo’s continued presence on the field until the end. The Spanish coach also emphasized: “Clearly, when we are looking for goals, we need to have Cristiano on the pitch.”
The inability of the national team to convert dominance into clear goal-scoring opportunities was evident. Portugal finished the match with over 75% possession but managed only one shot on target, and even saw Congo seriously threaten victory in the final minutes. “We were struggling to enter the box. Congo had a back line of five defenders that, at times, was practically a line of six,” Martínez explained. The coach also highlighted the importance of Ronaldo in such scenarios: “You can use Cristiano’s qualities in these situations. What we needed was to add Gonçalo Ramos, without making our attacking line even more tactically challenging.”
The coach emphasized that “in football, a straight line is not always the fastest route.” For Martínez, Ronaldo’s experience in the penalty area “is crucial,” not only for his ability to draw defenders but also for creating space for other players. “Each player has a responsibility or a quality on the field,” he added, demonstrating complete confidence in the captain’s role.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Martínez praised the team’s tactical discipline, especially among the forwards. “In our game structure, the striker needs to have a lot of discipline, which means staying in line with the defense, behind the center-backs, to create space,” he explained. The coach acknowledged, however, that “after the first goal, we didn’t reach the final third with the necessary quality to serve the striker or take advantage of his movements.” The introduction of Francisco Conceição at halftime and the offensive changes with Rafael Leão and Gonçalo Ramos were clear attempts to give the team a different dynamic, but the practical result was minimal.
Ronaldo still had two opportunities, and João Cancelo saw a bicycle kick goal correctly ruled out for offside, but Portugal showed a lack of effectiveness. “In the second half, with the entry of Chico Conceição, we started to reach the final third more. The space in the defensive line began to open up more, and it was the right moment to use Gonçalo,” Martínez analyzed. He also emphasized the importance of “utilizing the right players at the right moments,” highlighting the movements of Bruno Fernandes coming from behind.
The presence of Ronaldo, at 41 years old, as a guaranteed starter continues to be debated, especially after he was relegated to the bench at times during previous final stages. Martínez rejects any special treatment: “We treat all players the same way. We go step by step, we analyze every day. I have to assess each player.”
After this draw, which complicates the group’s standings and forces Portugal to win the upcoming matches to avoid jeopardizing their qualification, the pressure mounts on Martínez’s team to present more effective offensive solutions and free Ronaldo from tight marking. The coach will have to consider to what extent he can continue to rely on the captain as the sole reference in attack or whether he should diversify the options, especially against opponents who sit back defensively. The next match will be crucial not only for Portugal’s aspirations in the World Cup but also to determine whether the unwavering bet on Cristiano Ronaldo remains the ideal solution or if it is time to reinvent the national attack. The controversy is underway, and the eyes of the country – and the world – remain fixed on the fate of Portugal and its legendary captain.
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