Portugal’s Martinez Faces Tough Call on Ronaldo’s Start Against Croatia

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez remains undecided on whether Cristiano Ronaldo will open the Round of 32 match against Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo scored twice in the group stage, both in the win over Uzbekistan. Yet some pundits argue Portugal might benefit from a more mobile attack without relying on the 41-year-old. Martinez insists Ronaldo’s experience, discipline and off-ball movement still add value. He stresses that all selection decisions are guided by performance data and the player’s current condition. As Portugal prepare for one of the tournament’s most closely contested fixtures, fans will watch closely to see if the veteran striker leads the line or starts from the bench.

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