It's childish to compare Ronaldo and Messi, says Portugal coach

Portugal's coach, Roberto Martínez, dismissed comparisons between his star player Cristiano Ronaldo and other footballing giants like Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. Martínez described such comparisons as "childish," emphasizing that each player and team operates under different circumstances.

Martínez asserted that Ronaldo possesses the physical and mental fortitude to play every minute of the ongoing World Cup. He noted that while Ronaldo is capable of playing full matches, the team might consider making changes for the next game, a decision that could apply to any player on the squad.

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We don't compare ourselves to other players in other teams. That would be childish.

This statement came after Portugal's goalless draw against Colombia. The result placed Portugal second in Group K, setting up a Round of 32 clash against Croatia. The coach's comments highlight his confidence in Ronaldo's enduring capabilities and his strategy of focusing on his own team's needs rather than external comparisons.

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It is not a problem for Cristiano to play 90 minutes but perhaps we need to make a change in the next game, but that also applies to other players.