Martinez: Ronaldo can play all 90 minutes at the 2026 World Cup

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has commented on his decision to use Cristiano Ronaldo without substitutes at the 2026 World Cup, refusing to compare the Portuguese to Lionel Messi and Erling Holland, who have not always featured in their national teams' starting lineups in the third round of the group stage. According to the coach, such parallels between players of different national teams are incorrect, as each team and each situation has its own specifics. "We don't compare ourselves with players from other national teams. That would be too childish. Cristiano has a unique ability to be in the right place at the right time. Here, not only physical qualities are important, but also psychological stability, discipline in one's position and constant work on creating space in the attack. It is not a problem for Cristiano to spend all 90 minutes on the pitch," Goal quotes Martinez. As a reminder, the Portuguese national team finished the group stage in second place in Quartet K. In the first round of the playoffs, the team will meet with the Croatian national team. As a reminder, the Portuguese national team finished the group stage in second place in Quartet K. In the first round of the playoffs, the team will meet with the Croatian national team.