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Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said that his starting XI isn’t set in stone after Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. beat Nigeria 2-1 on Wednesday in the final preparatory game ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against DR Congo on June 17.
The Selecao boss started with captain Ronaldo, Francisco Trincao and Pedro Neto in attack, with Neto breaking the deadlock midway through the first period at the Estadio Municipal de Leiria.
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Akor Adams responded for the Super Eagles eight minutes before half-time before substitute Francisco Conceicao – coming on for his namesake Francisco Trincao at the break – bagged a 74th-minute winner to seal the deal for the Selecao.
“I keep saying, ‘I’m very picky,’ said Martinez post-game (as per OJogo). “There isn’t a starting XI. In modern football. There are 26 players who can help. The ideas on how to play against the Democratic Republic of Congo are very clear, and there are several who can execute them.
“It’s a mistake to think I have a starting XI, then in four or five days I see that there are players in better form. We always work with clarity on the pitch; it’s a strength. I can’t limit talent to 11 players. It’s a mistake I won’t make. We have outfield players ready to help. Those who start don’t mean they’ll start every game. We need to make good use of our talent.”
Following their successful qualifying campaign, Ronaldo and Co. drew goalless with Mexico and beat the USA 2-0 in March before seeing off Chile and Nigeria 2-1 at home in their final two friendlies before the World Cup.
How Cristiano Ronaldo fared for Portugal against Nigeria
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t at his clinical best in the friendly win over Nigeria in Leira on Wednesday. Coming off a Saudi Pro League win with Al-Nassr, the 41-year-old had four shots, but none were on target.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner endured a frustrating evening, missing gilt-edged chances either side of the break before coach Roberto Martinez replaced Ronaldo with Goncalo Ramos in the 65th minute.
Ronaldo now heads to North America having played just 110 minutes across the four friendlies, missing both games in March. The oldest captain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will hope to end a major tournament scoring drought after going scoreless in five games at Euro 2024.
Edited by Bhargav
