MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to move freely late in Portugal’s 0-0 draw with Colombia in Miami, a match played in sweltering conditions that the report said felt as hot as 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The 41-year-old remained on the field through five minutes of stoppage time despite a final half-hour in which he was largely a non-entity, the report said.
Ronaldo has played every minute of Portugal’s World Cup group stage, totaling 270 minutes on the pitch and likely approaching 300 minutes when stoppage time is included, the report said. In the Colombia match he finished with an expected goals figure of 0.17 and expected assists of 0.03.
Coach Roberto Martínez defended keeping Ronaldo on the field, saying, “Cristiano is used to being in the right place at the right time. Mentally and physically, he is disciplined and strong. It’s not an issue for Cristiano to play 90 minutes, but you don’t know about the next game. We have used 21 outfield players, so we do share the minutes,” the report quoted him as saying. Martínez also rejected comparisons with other teams’ handling of star players, calling such comparisons “childish,” the report said.
The report noted contrasting approaches elsewhere at the tournament: Erling Haaland was rested by Norway for their match against France because of fatigue concerns ahead of a round of 32 tie with Ivory Coast, and Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi would not start for Argentina against Jordan. Despite those examples, Martínez has continued to favor Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr and scored twice in a warmup win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday, the report said.
Gonçalo Ramos, 25, of Paris Saint-Germain remained on the bench against Colombia while Ronaldo finished the game, the report said. With Portugal due to face Croatia in Toronto in the round of 32, the report said it is valid to question why Ronaldo’s minutes are not being managed to help ensure he is at his best when Portugal most need him.
