Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has firmly dismissed comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, insisting that judging one player against another is both unnecessary and unprofessional.
The debate has continued in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Lionel Messi is currently leading the top scorers chat having scored his sixth goal of the tournament after coming off the bench against Jordan in their final group stage match.
Ronaldo has maintained his remarkable record of playing every minute of Portugal’s FIFA World Cup campaign at the age of 41, starting in the 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
He has scored two goals so far in the tournament, both of which came in Portugal’s clash against Uzbekistan.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez dismisses Ronaldo-Messi comparison
However, Martínez refused to be drawn into comparing two of football’s greatest-ever players, stressing that each should be appreciated on his own merits.
“We do not compare players with others. It would not be professional and that is something children do,” Martínez said.
The Portugal boss instead shifted his focus to his team’s objectives at the tournament as they prepare for a crucial Round of 32 encounter against Croatia.
Portugal secured second place in Group K after collecting five points, with Martínez expressing confidence that his players are ready for the knockout stages despite being held to a 0-0 draw by a spirited Colombian side in their final group fixture.
Looking ahead to the last-32 clash, the Spaniard emphasized that the squad’s full attention is now on recovery and preparation.
“We are focused on recovering and preparing for the match over the next four days. The team is ready to continue pursuing the objective, which is to win every match,” he said.
Martínez’s comments are likely to resonate with football fans who have spent nearly two decades debating the careers of Ronaldo and Messi.
While the rivalry between the two icons has defined an era, the Portugal coach believes the conversation should instead celebrate their individual achievements rather than pit one against the other.
With the knockout phase now underway, Martínez will be hoping Ronaldo can continue leading Portugal’s charge as they seek to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy for the first time in the nation’s history.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026