Martínez Praises Ronaldo As “good Example” But Stays Silent On Starting Role For Uzbekistan Clash

Martínez praises Ronaldo as “good example” but stays silent on starting role for Uzbekistan clash Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has praised Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the veteran forward as “a good example for all of us,” while refusing to confirm whether the team captain will start their upcoming World Cup match against Uzbekistan on Tuesday. The comments come amid growing scrutiny over Portugal’s tactical setup at the tournament in North America, where they are widely regarded as outside contenders for the title. Cristiano Ronaldo remains a central figure in the squad despite questions over his starting role, with Martínez emphasising the striker’s professionalism, leadership, and influence within the team. Portugal, managed by Martínez, opened their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1–1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, a result that increased pressure on the team to respond in their next fixture. Portugal national football team will face Uzbekistan in their second group-stage match, with selection decisions closely watched as the team seeks its first win of the tournament. Martínez, however, remained guarded when asked about lineup choices, insisting that final decisions would be made closer to match day and based on tactical considerations. Despite the uncertainty, the coach maintained that Ronaldo continues to play a valuable role in the squad, both on and off the pitch, highlighting his experience in major international tournaments.

The buildup to the Uzbekistan clash has therefore centred not only on Portugal’s need for a positive result, but also on whether their iconic captain will lead the line from the start.