Roberto Martinez’s defence of Cristiano Ronaldo came under sharp scrutiny after Portugal opened their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo. The Portugal head coach insisted there was no division inside the squad and argued that Ronaldo’s place in the starting XI was supported by more than reputation.

According to Adhe Makayasa of Goal.com Australia, Martinez pointed to “empirical data” as part of his case for continuing with the 41-year-old forward, despite public debate over his role in the side.

“We’re more united, we’re stronger. We’re playing a World Cup, of course there’s a lot of noise, a lot of tension, it’s part of the game. Our focus is on the team. We’re more united than before we arrived,” Martinez said.

Martinez backs his captain

The criticism around Ronaldo intensified after Portugal’s opening draw, with questions raised over whether the team remained too dependent on its captain. Ronaldo had scored five goals in qualification, but had gone ten major tournament appearances without finding the net.

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Martinez rejected suggestions that Ronaldo had become a problem for the team. Instead, he praised the forward’s leadership and movement, saying his contribution could not be judged by goals alone.

“There’s no tension. He’s an example, as a captain. And he’s reacted as a captain, with a lot of experience. He wants to contribute, and he’s a role model for our team. He opens up spaces with his movements. The numbers support him,” Martinez said.

The Portugal coach also acknowledged the frustration inside the squad after the draw, but framed it as a collective issue rather than one centred on Ronaldo.

“He’s probably the biggest example of how to recover, how to train. But that doesn’t take away the feeling of frustration we all have, as a team,” Martinez added.

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Portugal responds in Houston

The pressure on Portugal eased considerably in their next match. According to Laura Hunter’s Sky Sports match report, Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston, giving Martinez’s side its first win of the tournament and a much-needed response after the DR Congo result.

The victory also changed the tone of the debate around Ronaldo. What had been a week of questions over his place in the team became a reminder of his enduring influence, even at 41.

João Cancelo had warned before the match that Portugal needed a sharper attacking performance after the draw. “We didn’t create chances, and that isn’t normal in a team like ours. We have high-quality players, among the best in the world, and we have to show that on the pitch. Tomorrow, only winning counts. We don’t have any margin for error,” he said.

Ronaldo changes the conversation

Ronaldo’s two goals against Uzbekistan gave Portugal control of its group-stage campaign and provided the kind of response Martinez had been calling for. The result did not erase every question about Portugal’s balance or long-term attacking plan, but it strengthened the coach’s argument that Ronaldo remains more than a symbolic figure.

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For Martinez, the message was simple: the captain still has a role to play. For Ronaldo, the answer came in the language that has defined most of his career, goals.

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