View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Portugal Coach Slammed For Not Benching Ronaldo

Portugal Coach Slammed For Not Benching Ronaldo

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 05: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is consoled by Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Portugal, following the teams defeat in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 05, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has been slammed for not dropping Cristiano Ronaldo against France on Friday.

A Selecao were dumped out of the European Championship after losing to France on penalties following a disappointing 120 minutes action.

The 39-year-old forward finished the entire game but did not add much against a pretty poor French team.

Read: Mbappe Makes Surprise Admission About Substitution

Former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino has now questioned Roberto Martinez's decision not take Ronaldo off.

"How can you justify it? How does Martinez as a coach, manager, justify keeping him on?," 

"He had nothing to say in that game. And you can say previous games, he backed him and talked very highly of what a great professional he was.

"But you're watching that game last night, and if he was a young lad, he'd have been hauled off at half time.

 "You've been beaten by a French team, okay, and it's gone to penalties.

Read: EURO 2024 Semi-Final Fixtures Revealed!

"They couldn't have played as poorly as they did last night, the French. They were really disappointing again. And all their top players didn't turn up.

"No one was that exciting. Dembele came on, and probably Saliba did as well as anybody. Even Kante didn't have his best game.

"And they've knocked you out. I think as the days roll on, it will be a huge disappointment.

"And I'm afraid he's played a part in the reason why they haven't got past France, the manager, because he indulged something that was hurting his team."

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

Lepasa Lands Exciting Deal After Pirates Exit

Aug 01, 2025 02:11 PM in Fan Park

10 European Stars Eligible To Play For SA

Jul 30, 2025 08:09 AM in SA-Players-Abroad

Downs & Pirates Dominate PSL Awards

Jul 29, 2025 07:29 PM in Local

Mohau Nkota's Most Stylish Teammate At Ettifaq Club

Jul 29, 2025 01:00 PM in Fan Park

Pirates Drop Training Gallery – And Ndah Is in It!

Aug 01, 2025 05:27 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Chiefs' Starlet At Career Crossroads

Aug 01, 2025 10:47 AM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Guardiola Confirms Coaching Hiatus After Man City Stint

Jul 31, 2025 06:52 AM in English-Premier-League

Pirates Coaching Change: De Sa Shares Honest Take

Aug 01, 2025 08:49 AM in Orlando-Pirates

Ex-PSL Boss Folz 'Plans' SA Pre-Season For Yanga

Jul 31, 2025 06:58 AM in African Football

Lepasa Lands Exciting Deal After Pirates Exit

Aug 01, 2025 02:11 PM in Fan Park