Portugal coach Roberto Martínez said he will not bench Cristiano Ronaldo despite public pressure following a disappointing performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1].
The decision is critical as Portugal seeks to advance from the group stage after failing to secure a victory in their recent outing. The debate centers on whether the veteran forward's presence hinders the team's ability to integrate younger talent during high-stakes matches.
The controversy intensified after Portugal played to a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo [2]. Commentators and analysts have pointed to this result as evidence that the squad requires a tactical shift. One SportsMole analyst said Portugal cannot afford to waste a point and that the draw shows a change is needed [3].
Martínez has remained firm in his support of the star striker. "I have full confidence in Cristiano and I’m not thinking of benching him," Martínez said [1].
This is not the first time Ronaldo's starting role has been questioned on the international stage. Similar discussions occurred prior to Euro 2024 [4]. During that period, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry said that if Portugal wanted to win Euro 2024, they needed to bench Ronaldo and give younger players a chance [4].
Despite the historical context and current media scrutiny in the U.S. and U.K., the coaching staff continues to prioritize Ronaldo's experience. The tension between utilizing a legendary figure and optimizing current form remains a focal point for the team as they navigate the tournament [1], [2].
“"I have full confidence in Cristiano and I’m not thinking of benching him."”
The persistence of this debate across multiple tournaments—from Euro 2024 to the 2026 World Cup—highlights a transition period for the Portugal national team. By maintaining Ronaldo in the starting lineup, Martínez is betting on veteran leadership over the potential tactical flexibility offered by a youth-led attack, a gamble that carries significant risk if the team continues to drop points in the group stage.
