Published on 6/23/2026
Portuguese national team coach Roberto Martinez sparked a state of controversy and anticipation hours before the expected confrontation against the Uzbekistan national team in the second round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, after he evaded a direct answer about the possibility of veteran star Cristiano Ronaldo participating in the starting lineup.
During the press conference held on Monday, Martinez received a direct question about the fate of the Portuguese national team captain and the possibility of playing him from the start against Uzbekistan, but the Spanish coach chose not to reveal any details regarding his squad.
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Martinez said: “We are a team that wants to possess the ball. We want to defend and respond quickly. We want to launch quick counterattacks. You need a player who creates space with his movement, and Cristiano is one of the best players in this aspect.”
He added: “He is a player who has been defending and playing for his country’s national team for a long time, and wants to continue developing for the team. He is truly a role model for the team.”
Martinez stressed that talking about the starting lineup is premature, explaining that he has not yet informed his players of the final decisions regarding the match, and therefore he cannot discuss them in front of the media.
He added that it is better not to talk publicly about matters that have not yet been raised within the group, in a clear indication of his desire to maintain confidentiality within the national team camp before the important match.
Ronaldo under the microscope
Martinez’s statements came at a time when the Portuguese national team was subjected to a series of criticism following its lackluster appearance in the opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw for each team.
The criticism was not limited to the team’s collective performance only, but also extended to Cristiano Ronaldo, who found himself in the spotlight again after the level he presented during the first match.
A number of observers and analysts believed that Ronaldo did not provide the expected addition to the spearhead position, and that the team lacked effective offensive solutions during long periods of the match, which contributed to losing two valuable points at the beginning of the campaign.
However, Martinez seemed calm in his dealings with the increasing wave of criticism, stressing that criticism is a natural part of football and the continuous development process for any team seeking to compete for titles.
Martinez stressed that the team is still at the beginning of the path in the tournament, and that a draw in the first match does not mean the end of ambitions or a change in the goals set in advance.
He explained that the group stage consists of three matches, and therefore there is still room for Portugal to correct the course and restore its balance.
The coach indicated that the technical staff conducted a comprehensive review of the last confrontation, and clearly identified the aspects that were not at the required level, in addition to the matters that need to be developed before the next confrontation.
He stressed that the work within the team during the past days focused on correcting mistakes and benefiting from the lessons produced by the first match, with the aim of appearing better against Uzbekistan.
A comprehensive evaluation within the Portugal camp
Martinez revealed that what happened after the confrontation with the Democratic Republic of Congo was an accurate and comprehensive evaluation of performance, noting that no team in the world can reach its full readiness from the first match in a major tournament the size of the World Cup.
He added that teams usually develop gradually as competitions progress, and that what is important is the ability to discover weak points early and work to correct them before it is too late.
These statements reflect the coach’s desire to ease the pressure imposed on his players, especially after a start that did not live up to the high expectations associated with the Portuguese national team.
The result of the draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo complicated Portugal’s position within Group Eleven, as the team occupies third place with only one point.
On the other hand, the Colombian team leads the group standings with three points, benefiting from its victory in the first round, before its next match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Portugal realizes that any new setback against Uzbekistan may make the task more difficult and put the team under great pressure before the final round of the group stage.
The confrontation with Uzbekistan carries exceptional importance for the Portuguese team, not only because of the need to achieve the first victory, but also because of the desire to restore confidence and silence the criticism that accompanied the team after its first appearance.
In light of the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s position, all eyes are on Martinez’s expected decision regarding the starting lineup, as everyone awaits whether the Portuguese captain will continue to lead the front line from the beginning or whether the coach will surprise followers with different options.
