Portugal’s Golden Generation Squandered Under Roberto Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo

Wayne Rooney called Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup appearance a sad moment for football. Yet, when Spain defeated a lackluster Portugal team, and Belgium overwhelmed the United States, July 6, 2026, actually felt like a positive day for the sport. Ronaldo remains one of the most legendary athletes ever, but his final tournament was far from a triumphant farewell.

Millions mourned the end of Ronaldo's World Cup dream. After the disappointment in Qatar 2022, few expected him to reach a sixth World Cup at age 41, a feat that speaks volumes about his resilience and fitness. Rooney praised him as a genius and a superstar, noting his rare contribution to football, and acknowledging Ronaldo’s belief he could still win the tournament.

"He is a genius, a superstar," Rooney said. "What he has given to football is something very rare. He will be disappointed because he believed he could win this tournament."

The real issue lies with Roberto Martinez, the only other person who seemed to share Ronaldo’s hope. Portugal’s early exit was less about Ronaldo’s fading abilities and more about one man prioritizing personal loyalty over the team's success, wasting a golden generation’s chance.

Martinez’s Mismanagement

Portugal’s limp last-16 exit in Arlington was not unexpected. Their campaign mirrored the frustrations of Euro 2024, ending with internal conflict and accusations of poor leadership. Martinez’s insistence on building the team around Ronaldo, despite clear signs Ronaldo could no longer perform at top levels, was reckless.

The decision to bench Goncalo Ramos against Spain was consistent with Martinez’s flawed approach: Ronaldo plus ten others. Ramos, who had scored a crucial winner against Croatia, never got a starting nod over Ronaldo, showing where Martinez’s priorities lay.

From the start, Martinez declared Ronaldo the cornerstone, even visiting him in Saudi Arabia to confirm this plan. The result was a disastrous Euro 2024 where Ronaldo fired 23 shots without scoring once. Despite this, Martinez stayed on, dooming Portugal’s chances further.

A Predictable Collapse

Portugal’s struggles began immediately with a goalless draw against DR Congo. Ronaldo’s brief revival with two goals versus Uzbekistan gave false hope, quickly dashed by a lackluster display against Colombia. His penalty against Croatia marked his first knockout stage goal ever, yet he was so ineffective that Martinez took him off late in a match saved only by Ramos’s late header.

"I’m back! I’m back!" Ronaldo had claimed after his Uzbekistan brace, but the excitement was short-lived.

Ronaldo pushed back against calls for retirement, insisting his legacy should not hinge on winning a World Cup. He defended himself against criticism, saying it had motivated his growth. Still, his performances and attitude in the last three international tournaments have tarnished how he will be remembered, as someone who ultimately did more harm than good.

From Asset to Liability

It was understandable to build around Ronaldo early in his career. Yet, time caught up with him years ago. Instead of lifting the team, he became a burden, holding back a talented squad from reaching new heights. Players like Bruno Fernandes underperformed, but the broader failure points to coaching and management issues.

This Portugal team was strong on paper. Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fernandes are all among the best in their roles worldwide. None performed at their best, raising questions about why.

Martinez himself admitted the squad had the quality to win the World Cup. Now, after failing to do so, continuing under his leadership seems pointless. It’s worth questioning why he was hired if his approach was to pander to a superstar instead of building a cohesive winning team.

A Waste of Talent

Martinez’s tenure wasted a remarkable group of players. Bernardo Silva and others deserved stronger guidance. Ronaldo might have been an effective impact substitute if he accepted a reduced role, but instead, he was indulged to the detriment of the team and embarrassed himself on football’s biggest stage.

His final international appearance wasn’t a sad day for Portugal. While gratitude remains for his earlier contributions, his departure was, in many ways, a relief.