Chelsea legend Chris Sutton has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo and former Portugal manager Roberto Martinez following their exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026.
He blamed the manager for being too weak to drop the veteran star, and accused Ronaldo of offering nothing to the team.
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He stated that Portugal has an incredibly talented squad, including Goncalo Ramos, who was left on the bench despite previously proving his worth.
“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.”
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At the age of 41 Ronaldo was still leading the line for his country, which in itself caused plenty of debate, and this tournament was his last chance at claiming the first World Cup of his career.
Spain’s late winner in Dallas ultimately ended his hopes once again with the fallout seeing him, and Roberto Martinez’s decision to continue playing him, heavily criticised. Given his age Ronaldo was unable to press and contribute like some of his younger rivals.
