Chelsea legend, Chris Sutton, has strongly criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and former Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez following Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sutton faulted Martinez for refusing to leave the veteran forward out of the starting lineup, arguing that Ronaldo no longer made a meaningful impact on the team despite Portugal’s wealth of attacking talent.
According to Sutton, Portugal had capable alternatives, including Goncalo Ramos, who remained on the bench despite his impressive performances at the previous World Cup.
“He’s (Ronaldo) waddling around the field like a grandad, that’s why Portugal are out,” Sutton told BBC.
“Cristiano Ronaldo does nothing. Ramos played in the last 16 at the last World Cup and scored a hat-trick when the manager had a bit of courage to leave Ronaldo out.
“We’re four years on, Ronaldo is four years older and look what’s happened. What is Martinez doing? How can you pander to a player so much?
“Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez.”
At 41, Ronaldo continued to spearhead Portugal’s attack throughout the tournament, a decision that generated widespread debate.
The competition represented his final opportunity to win the FIFA World Cup, the only major trophy missing from his illustrious career.
However, Portugal’s campaign came to an end after Spain scored a late winner in Dallas, bringing Ronaldo’s World Cup dream to a close.
The defeat also intensified criticism of Martinez’s decision to keep faith with the veteran forward, with many arguing that Ronaldo, because of his age, could no longer press or influence games at the level of his younger counterparts.
