Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has refused to confirm whether Cristiano Ronaldo will start his side’s crucial World Cup clash following the veteran forward’s underwhelming performance in the opening draw against DR Congo.
The 41-year-old captain made history by appearing in his sixth FIFA World Cup, matching the record set by Argentina captain Lionel Messi, but he endured a frustrating evening as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by an impressive DR Congo side.
Joao Neves had given Portugal an early advantage with a sixth-minute header, but the European side struggled to turn their dominance of possession into meaningful opportunities. DR Congo equalised through Yoane Wissa just before half-time, leaving Martinez’s men with work to do in the remaining group matches.
Ronaldo, who is still chasing the milestone of becoming the first player to score in six different World Cups, failed to find the target despite two promising opportunities in the second half. The Al-Nassr forward narrowly missed with consecutive efforts after being picked out by substitute Francisco Conceicao.
The Portuguese captain also came under criticism after a late attacking move appeared to break down when his run blocked a cut-back intended for Bruno Fernandes, who was better positioned to score. Former France striker Thierry Henry described the incident as evidence that Ronaldo’s desire to score may have affected the team’s decision-making.
As Portugal prepares for their next Group K encounter, Martinez has remained cautious about revealing his plans regarding the veteran forward’s involvement.
The Portugal coach has emphasized the importance of managing his experienced captain carefully during the tournament, particularly given the demanding schedule and the depth available within the squad.
Portugal still possesses one of the strongest squads at the tournament, with players such as Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao and Francisco Conceicao capable of making decisive contributions. However, much of the spotlight continues to fall on Ronaldo, whose final World Cup appearance remains one of the tournament’s biggest storylines.
With Colombia and DR Congo also battling for qualification in Group K, Portugal knows that their next match could prove decisive. Whether Ronaldo starts or is used from the bench may become one of the defining decisions of Martinez’s World Cup campaign.
For now, the Portugal manager is keeping his intentions private, while the football world waits to see if Cristiano Ronaldo will get another opportunity to make history on the sport’s biggest stage.
