Roberto Martinez’s indulgence of Ronaldo will be Portugal’s downfall

The team’s chances of winning in Germany are being harmed by the manager’s pitiful inability to exercise any control over his captain.

Although Roberto Martinez isn’t much of a manager, he is an expert at deceit. Monday night, the Spaniard was once again at it, deftly drawing attention away from the lackluster performance that preceded the team’s victory over Slovenia through a penalty shootout and toward Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible resiliency.

Many analysts and advocates embraced it enthusiastically. Martinez contended that Ronaldo, having missed one earlier in extra time, had shown such bravery by taking the first penalty kick. As a “example” to his teammates, he had not caused embarrassment, and Portugal as a whole was quite proud of him.

Alan Shearer, the former England striker, exclaimed on BBC One, “Unbelievable!” “This is why they are great players – because they have great mental strength.” But in reality, what we had seen in Frankfurt was unquestionably proof of weakness rather than an inspiring display of power, and not from Ronaldo either.

In his post-match press conference, Martinez was eager to highlight Ronaldo’s redemption because he felt it was the story that would help shift attention away from his own shortcomings. It is preferable, after all, for the press to focus on the bravery of the Portugal captain rather than the cowardice of the coach.

It was completely predictable that social media would explode after Ronaldo missed a penalty kick. He’s the guy that everyone loves to dislike as a player. A pile-on was to be expected. However, Ronaldo’s response was anything but that.

No matter what the situation, sobbing is never shameful, but Martinez attempted to frame the forward’s tears as a heartfelt, affirmative expression of his love for his teammates and his nation.

The Seleccao coach remarked, “Those are incredible emotions for someone who has won everything and experienced everything.” “He doesn’t have to give a damn, which is why I appreciate him for who he is. for looking after the group.”

But it was just garbage. Complete imagination. This was not a sentimental account of a cooperative team member; rather, it was a warning about giving in to personal indulgence. That was demonstrated throughout the preceding 105 minutes, as Ronaldo consistently put his own interests ahead of the team’s.

The justification Martinez needed was right there: Ronaldo’s decline was evident to everybody in Qatar. Furthermore, one of the greatest football players ever had turned into a negative diversion that took time, effort, and focus away from the work at hand.

It makes sense that Bruno Fernandes and a few other Portugal players became tired of answering inquiries over the Seleccao’s underperforming captain.

Now it’s happening once more. In the Portugal camp, Ronaldo is still the main character—and Martinez alone is to blame.

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