Cascarino Critiques Martinez for Keeping Ronaldo on Field

Toni Cascarino, a former Ireland international, criticized Portugal's coach Roberto Martinez for not substituting Cristiano Ronaldo during the team's disappointing 0-0 draw against DR Congo on Tuesday. This match marked Portugal's opening game in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Ronaldo, who played the full 90 minutes, failed to make a significant impact, which astonished Cascarino. He expressed disbelief that Martinez kept the 41-year-old on the pitch, suggesting that Ronaldo is no longer the player he once was, lacking both pace and energy.

Cascarino remarked that Ronaldo's performance was uncharacteristic of his previous role as a winger who drove the game forward. He implied that Martinez's decision to retain Ronaldo was more about friendship than team performance, stating that it would have been better for the team to improve their chances of winning by making a substitution.