Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has clarified his decision to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch for over an hour, despite the veteran striker’s underwhelming performance in front of goal during the friendly match against Nigeria. The encounter, which ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for Portugal, saw Ronaldo fail to convert several opportunities before being substituted in the 65th minute.
Speaking to O Jogo, Martinez revealed that the substitution plan was predetermined, with Ronaldo scheduled for 60 minutes of action. “Diogo Costa was set for the full 90 minutes, while Cristiano had a 60-minute plan,” Martinez explained. He also noted that Nuno Mendes would play 30 minutes, and both Vitinha and João Neves would get 45 minutes each. The coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, emphasizing the synchronization and attitude displayed by all players.
Ronaldo’s lack of sharpness in front of goal raised eyebrows, but Martinez remained unfazed, highlighting the importance of the pre-arranged rotation strategy. “Being able to make changes and maintain synchronization is a source of pride for me,” he added. Portugal now turns its focus to the World Cup opener against DR Congo next Wednesday, where Ronaldo will aim to rediscover his scoring touch.