Portugal coach stays mum on Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential start after lackluster World Cup opener
HOUSTON: Portugal coach Roberto Martinez wouldn’t say if Cristiano Ronaldo would start Tuesday’s World Cup match against Uzbekistan after the superstar’s forgettable performance in the team’s opener.
“I can’t inform you about the starting 11 because I haven’t informed my players,” Martinez said Monday when asked if Ronaldo would remain in the lineup.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo failed to score in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Congo.
Television pundits and social media users criticized Ronaldo after he missed on a couple of good scoring chances in the second half. Some wondered why Martinez didn’t substitute him in the second half with the team struggling offensively.
