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

Wayne Rooney called Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup appearance a sad day for football. Yet, when Spain defeated a lackluster Portugal and Belgium overwhelmed the United States on July 6, 2026, the event felt more like a turning point than a loss.

Millions mourned the end of Ronaldo's World Cup journey. At 41, making it to six tournaments is impressive, showing his resilience and fitness. Rooney described him as a genius and a rare gift to football. Ronaldo believed he could still win the title, but only Roberto Martinez shared that hope.

The real tragedy lies in one man’s obsession—Martinez consistently prioritized Ronaldo over the team’s needs and the nation's aspirations. Portugal’s exit was no surprise; it followed a disappointing Euro 2024 and echoed the same flawed strategy.

Martinez’s loyalty to Ronaldo was evident from the start. After being appointed, he flew to Saudi Arabia to promise Ronaldo the team would be built around him, despite clear signs Ronaldo had declined since the 2022 World Cup. This stubbornness led to a disastrous Euro 2024 where Ronaldo fired 23 shots without scoring.

The Portuguese Football Federation should have acted then, but Martinez stayed, and Ronaldo’s role shifted from leader to passenger. Portugal’s early elimination in Arlington was predictable, mirroring their uninspired 0-0 draw with DR Congo and inconsistent performances thereafter.

Ronaldo claimed “I’m back!” after scoring twice against Uzbekistan but faded again against Colombia. His penalty against Croatia marked his first knockout-stage goal ever, yet he barely contributed otherwise. Even Martinez had to substitute him late in the match, which was won by Goncalo Ramos' late header—a player Martinez refused to start against Spain.

"He is a genius, a superstar," said Rooney. "What he has given to football is something very rare." Yet, the only person who truly believed Ronaldo could lead Portugal to glory this time was Martinez.

Ronaldo defended himself against calls for retirement, saying criticism helped him grow and asserting he would stop playing only when he chose. His status as one of football’s greatest scorers is unquestioned, but recent international performances and behavior have clouded his legacy. He ended up hindering rather than helping his national team during his final years.

Building teams around Ronaldo made sense once, but not anymore. Time caught up with him long ago. His presence became a burden on a talented squad. Since winning Euro 2016, Portugal hasn’t reached a semi-final at major tournaments, a fact that highlights the problem clearly.

Yes, players like Bruno Fernandes underperformed, but when so many stars fail simultaneously, the coach must bear responsibility. The strong Portuguese lineup underperformed badly at both Euro 2024 and the World Cup.

Players such as Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fernandes could all be world-class in their roles, yet none delivered their best. Martinez admitted Portugal had the quality to win the World Cup, and now, having failed, he stepped down.

Frankly, hiring Martinez was questionable if his plan was to cater to one superstar instead of building a cohesive winning team. His tenure wasted the potential of a gifted group. Bernardo Silva and others deserved a better manager. Ronaldo, too, might have been more effective had he accepted a supporting role.

Instead, indulgence led to embarrassment on the sport’s biggest stage. In that light, Ronaldo’s final international bow wasn’t a sad moment for Portugal. Despite gratitude for his earlier achievements, his departure brought relief.