Martinez Under Fire for Keeping Ronaldo on Pitch as Portugal Stumble to 1-1 Draw Against DR Congo at 2026 World Cup

Roberto Martinez is facing mounting scrutiny after Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K opener, with several pundits accusing the manager of allowing sentiment to cloud his in-game decision-making — specifically his refusal to substitute a visibly struggling Cristiano Ronaldo.

The result has left Portugal in a precarious standing in Group K, with fixtures against Uzbekistan and Colombia still to come. Given that Portugal entered the tournament as genuine contenders, the failure to secure three points against DR Congo has raised immediate questions about Martinez’s tactical conviction and his willingness to make difficult calls involving his most decorated player.

Former Republic of Ireland forward Tony Cascarino was among the most vocal critics, delivering a pointed assessment of both Ronaldo’s performance and Martinez’s handling of the situation. Speaking on talkSPORT, Cascarino said: “I’m trying to be as kind as I can… but he [Ronaldo] was really off it. And he just looks like time has caught up with him. He hasn’t got the pace. He’s not even got the energy to pick up the ball.”

Cascarino went further, questioning Martinez’s motivation for keeping the 39-year-old on the pitch for the duration of the match. “He offered nothing to the Portuguese team. I can’t believe Martinez has kept him on. I’m thinking, ‘This is your job – does he just want to keep friends with Ronaldo? You’ve got to take people off. If that’s the decision that improves the team and gives the best chance of winning, you’ve got to make it as a manager.”

Martinez, for his part, has defended the decision. According to reports, the Portugal head coach stated that leaving Ronaldo on the pitch “makes no sense” to criticise, though the specifics of his justification have done little to quiet the debate among analysts and former professionals.

Ronaldo, who turns 42 before the 2026 tournament concludes, has been a central figure for Portugal across five World Cup campaigns dating back to 2006. He remains his country’s all-time top scorer and captained the side to their UEFA Nations League title in 2019. However, his effectiveness at club level has also been a subject of ongoing discussion, with the forward currently playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League — a competition widely regarded as below the standard of Europe’s elite divisions.

The broader context adds further weight to the criticism. Portugal possess considerable depth in attacking positions, with players such as Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, and Gonçalo Ramos all capable of providing pace and directness that, according to Cascarino and others, Ronaldo is no longer able to offer consistently at this stage of his career.

Martinez now faces a defining moment in his tenure as Portugal manager. His decision on whether to start, rotate, or substitute Ronaldo in the upcoming match against Uzbekistan will be scrutinised intensely. A second dropped result would place Portugal in serious danger of an early exit, particularly with Colombia — one of the more formidable sides in the group — awaiting in the final round of fixtures.

Ronaldo was also named in a widely circulated Round 1 Worst XI for the 2026 World Cup group stage, alongside several South African players, further illustrating the scale of dissatisfaction with his output in Portugal’s opening match.