Portugal's Golden Generation Squandered by Martinez and Ronaldo at World Cup

Wayne Rooney called Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup appearance a sad moment for football. Yet, when Spain defeated a lackluster Portugal side and Belgium overwhelmed the United States, July 6, 2026, proved quite positive for the sport.

Fans worldwide felt the sting of Ronaldo’s fading World Cup dream. After a disastrous Qatar 2022, few expected him to reach a sixth World Cup at 41 years old—a feat highlighting his resilience and fitness. Rooney praised him as a genius and a rare football legend who truly believed he could still win the tournament.

That belief was shared only by one man: Roberto Martinez. The real tragedy lies in how Portugal allowed Martinez and Ronaldo’s personal ambitions to overshadow the team and a nation’s chance at glory.

The Predictable Collapse

Portugal’s limp exit in the Round of 16 was no surprise. The disappointment mirrored their Euro 2024 campaign, which ended in frustration and poor management. Martinez’s stubborn loyalty to Ronaldo—ignoring rising talents like Goncalo Ramos—felt like madness repeated. Despite Ramos scoring crucial goals off the bench, Martinez stuck with Ronaldo and ten others.

From the start, Martinez made it clear he was building around Ronaldo, even after the 2022 World Cup exposed the forward’s decline. This misguided approach led to a disastrous Euro 2024, where Ronaldo fired 23 shots without scoring. The Portuguese Football Federation should have dismissed Martinez then, but they did not. With Ronaldo increasingly sidelined and Martinez still in charge, this summer’s failure was inevitable.

A Team Held Back

Portugal’s World Cup began with a dull 0-0 draw against DR Congo. Ronaldo celebrated his return with two goals against Uzbekistan but disappeared again in a weak showing versus Colombia. Although he scored a penalty against Croatia—the first knockout-stage goal of his career—it was his only touch inside the box that night. Even Martinez took him off late in a match saved by Ramos’s stunning header.

"I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup," Ronaldo said, defensive against calls for retirement. "Whatever happens tomorrow, I will leave with a clear conscience... You have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years."

His right to respect is unquestioned, given his record-breaking goal-scoring legacy. Still, Ronaldo’s reputation suffered due to his performances and attitude in the final three international tournaments. Instead of lifting Portugal, he became more of a hindrance in his later years.

From Leader to Liability

Building the squad around Ronaldo once made sense. Over time, though, his presence became a weight on the team he once carried. Portugal’s failure to reach semifinals in major tournaments since 2016 shows this clearly. Yes, players like Bruno Fernandes underperformed, but with so many talented teammates also faltering, the blame falls heavily on the coach and his close circle.

Portugal’s strong roster—featuring Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fernandes—should have shone brighter. None approached their best form. Martinez himself admitted the team had World Cup-winning potential, but after failing, he stepped down. Perhaps he should never have been hired if pandering to a fading star was his main goal.

A Lost Opportunity

Martinez’s tenure wasted a golden group of players. Bernardo Silva and others deserved a stronger leader, while Ronaldo might have contributed more as an impact substitute. Instead, he was indulged excessively, leading to public embarrassment on football’s biggest stage. His final international exit, amid gratitude for his past, was more a relief than a loss.