Roberto Martinez defends Cristiano Ronaldo's minutes in World Cup after draw

[p]Leading scorers like [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Lionel Messi[/a] did not start the final group game while Norway's [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling Haaland[/a] ‌was rested, but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo-cristiano/WGOY4FSt/"]Ronaldo[/a] has played every minute of every game so ‌far.[/p][p]The 41-year-old forward has faced criticism for his lack of contribution in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a] games, particularly ‌his limited defensive work when the rest of the team tracks back, ‌but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-roberto/zHf9Etgc/"]Martinez[/a] dismissed comparisons with other players' game-time.[/p][p]"[b]Obviously we don't compare players in our team with other players to make decisions. I think that would be quite childish and very unprofessional,[/b]" he ‌told reporters.[/p][p]"[b]I can tell you that we monitor all ⁠the (player) information that we get live ‌during the games.[/b][/p][p]"[b]There are different positions on the pitch that need different needs and we ​monitor that down to the detail.[/b][/p][p]"[b]Cristiano is used to being in the right place at the right time. It's more a question of mentally ​being strong and always being disciplined in his position.[/b][/p][p]"[b]There is no issue, physically or mentally, for Cristiano in today's game to play the 90 minutes. Maybe ⁠the next game we need ​to make a change, but that's like any other player.[/b]"[/p][h2]Jota anniversary[/h2][p]Portugal reached the knockout stage in second place and face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/croatia/K8aznggo/"]Croatia[/a] in the Round of 32 on Thursday, a match that carries special significance as it will be played one day before ‌the anniversary of the death of their forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diogo-jota/lr5I22zF/"]Diogo Jota[/a].[/p][embed guid="aaeb1d20-8b3c-46fb-b2e1-fe8cbd452e48" url="https://x.com/FootbalIhub/status/2071014269722747335?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Jota was remembered [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/colombia-G02s4PCS/portugal-WvJrjFVN/?mid=vL2qotaK"]prior to kickoff on Saturday[/a] when his image was beamed on the screens in the stadium just as the Portuguese national anthem finished and Martinez viewed the upcoming anniversary as an inspiration.[/p][p]"[b]Obviously, every day is difficult. When you are training, there are always moments that Diogo Jota comes back into our memories. So I wouldn't say that the anniversary needs to be especially difficult. I would say that it's a little bit of a celebration,[/b]" Martinez said.[/p][p]"[b]We need to honour Diogo Jota. ‌It's a moment to cherish, that everything we started in this team started with ​him. We won the Nations League with him. He's probably the sign ‌and the light of the biggest stimulation that we have.[/b][/p][p]"[b]We want to win the World Cup for him. The anniversary is just a moment that makes the game Diogo Jota's game.[/b][/p][p]"[b]It's not a difficult moment, the difficulty is every day when he's not there physically ... Probably moments like this, when ⁠you don't win a game, the ⁠reference of having his desire, his ‌belief, is always very clear in our presence.[/b]"[/p]