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Ronaldo's World Cup Status: Coach Mum on Starting
23 Jun
Summary
- Coach Roberto Martínez declined to confirm Cristiano Ronaldo's starting role.
- Ronaldo had a forgettable performance, failing to score in the opener.
- Ronaldo aims to be the first player to score in six World Cups.
Portugal's coach, Roberto Martínez, has kept his starting lineup for Tuesday's World Cup match against Uzbekistan under wraps, specifically declining to confirm if Cristiano Ronaldo will feature. This uncertainty follows Ronaldo's underwhelming performance in Portugal's opening 1-1 draw against Congo, where the 41-year-old superstar failed to find the net and missed several scoring chances.
Martínez addressed the external criticism, stating that noise and tension are inherent to the World Cup. He affirmed that the team remains focused and united, suggesting some criticism directed at players might be "unfair, it's unjust." Ronaldo, who along with Lionel Messi is one of two men to play in six World Cups, has posted messages of focus on social media, indicating his determination to rebound.
Despite the recent struggles, where Ronaldo had limited touches and influence, Martínez expressed confidence in the player's ability to create and score. Uzbekistan's coach, Fabio Cannavaro, acknowledged Ronaldo's threat, warning his players to stay highly vigilant to prevent him from scoring.
