Portugal coach backs Ronaldo fitness, rubbishes comparison with Messi, Haaland

Cristiano Ronaldo may not be at his best in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and has managed two goals so far against a low-ranked Uzbekistan, but Portugal coach Roberto Martinez feels stamina is never a problem for the forward, and he is capable of staying on the ground for the entire 90 minutes in every game.

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Speaking after Portugal drew Colombia in their final group (K) match 0-0 on Saturday (June 27), Martinez even called any comparison between Ronaldo’s needs with those of Argentina’s Lionel Messi or Norway’s Erling Haaland “childish”, ESPN reported.

The 41-year-old forward became the oldest player to appear in a World Cup this year. The current edition is his sixth, and he has scored in all of them.

Ronaldo's game has failed to impress

The legend’s performance so far has come under scrutiny as he failed to score against teams such as DR Congo and Colombia. Portugal finished second in their group, behind Colombia, with two draws and will have to raise their game by quite a few notches in their Round of 32 knock-out clash against Croatia in Toronto on Thursday (July 2).

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However, while the Seleção das Quinas coach felt Ronaldo was capable “mentally and physically” to play every minute of his team’s campaign at the marquee tournament, the latter could produce little threat against the Colombians.

Messi, Haaland was rested partially or fully in last game

When talks came up about Messi and Haaland, who were either partially or fully rested in the final match, Martinez said Portugal had no reason to do the same with their star player against the Latin American side.

“We don't compare with other players of other teams,” he was quoted as saying by ESPN. “That would be childish,” he said after being asked about Ronaldo being rested like Messi or Haaland.

The coach, who said Portugal’s only objective in the group was to qualify for the next round and play the World Cup for real, said Ronaldo is “used to being in the right place at the right time”. He, however, said that Portugal may make a change in the next game but refused to give it any special significance.

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Messi, who stepped onto the ground in the 60th minute in Argentina’s final match against Jordan in the group on Saturday, scored in the 80th minute to take his tally of goals in the competition to six, the most by any player.

Haaland, on the other hand, did not take the field against France even as his side was thrashed 4-1 by the former champions. He has scored four goals in the tournament so far.