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SportsPressure mounts on coach Roberto Martinez to bench Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal's second World Cup match against Uzbekistan
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Ahead of Portugal's second 2026 World Cup match against Uzbekistan, coach Roberto Martinez faces mounting pressure from fans and media to bench captain Cristiano Ronaldo. A poll by Portuguese sports daily A Bola shows the majority of readers favor Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos over the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who was criticized for a lackluster performance in Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo. The article reports that A Bola's editorial team also omitted Ronaldo from their proposed starting XI, opting for Ramos and Joao Felix up front. With Portugal sitting third in their group and facing a potentially decisive match against Colombia next, Martinez's decision on whether to start the national legend is highly anticipated. The article also lists related controversy around Ronaldo, including comments from former Portugal coach Sérgio Conceição suggesting teammates are not obliged to pass him the ball.
Source report
Increasingly criticized, Portugal's captain Cristiano Ronaldo is not expected to start against Uzbekistan in the team's second World Cup match on Tuesday, according to a survey conducted by A Bola. The decision facing coach Roberto Martínez is now highly anticipated.
What will Cristiano Ronaldo's 230th international cap look like? While it appears certain he will feature in Portugal's second World Cup match against Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston (7 PM French time), it is up to Roberto Martínez to decide whether CR7 will start or be named among the substitutes. The debate was already ongoing before the World Cup. Following the disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo and the lackluster performance of the captain, the question is now at the heart of Portuguese football news.
Gonçalo Ramos Instead of CR7
Criticized for his perceived selfishness and obsession with his statistics, the 41-year-old Ronaldo is increasingly viewed as a handicap—or even a burden—for the Seleção. For A Bola, the discussion is no longer open for debate. The Portuguese sports daily asked its readers to select their starting lineup to face Uzbekistan. While PSG midfielder João Neves, who scored against DR Congo, received the most votes, Cristiano Ronaldo is notably absent from the fan-selected XI. Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos is the preferred choice among internet users. Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, and Renato Veiga are also among the players fans want to see relegated to the bench in favor of Araújo, Trincão, and João Félix.
The editorial team at A Bola also voted for its ideal lineup. Ronaldo does not feature in this selection either, with Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix again receiving praise. The question now is whether Roberto Martínez will dare to bench the Portuguese football legend for this second match. Portugal, currently third in its group, needs a victory before what could be a decisive final match against Colombia. The answer will come in 48 hours. In the meantime, maximum pressure rests on the shoulders of the former Belgium head coach.
A Bola Readers' Lineup for Portugal-Uzbekistan
- Diogo Costa
- João Cancelo
- Rúben Dias
- Tomás Araújo
- Nuno Mendes
- Vitinha
- João Neves
- Bruno Fernandes
- Trincão
- Gonçalo Ramos
- João Félix
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Source
Home Football - actualitésWestern
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