Roberto Martinez: Cristiano Ronaldo does not call the shots for Portugal ahead of 2026 World Cup

Roberto Martinez has drawn a clear line between his management of Portugal and Lionel Scaloni’s approach with Argentina, saying the Portugal camp does not operate by consulting Cristiano Ronaldo on every major decision. Martinez made the remark while preparing his squad for a pre-World Cup friendly against Chile, with the 2026 World Cup beginning in five days.

Why it matters

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the most prominent figure in Portugal’s squad and is widely expected to feature at what is likely to be his sixth World Cup. Comparisons with Argentina’s relationship between Lionel Scaloni and Lionel Messi have prompted questions about player influence in national-team decision-making, so Martinez’s clarification affects perceptions of Portugal’s dressing-room hierarchy and how tactical or selection decisions will be handled at the tournament.

What Martinez said — and how it contrasts with Scaloni

According to the World Soccer Talk summary of Martinez’s press remarks, when asked whether he consults Ronaldo on all major decisions in the same way Lionel Scaloni reportedly does with Lionel Messi, Martinez replied: 'I respect all national teams in the world, all coaches in the world, but we work differently.' The comment was given as Portugal readies its final preparations before the World Cup kick-off.

The story references Scaloni’s own recent comments (reported via Ole) that he discusses every major decision with Messi and treats the Argentina captain as a central voice in the squad. Martinez’s one-line response establishes a contrasting approach: he indicated Portugal’s structure and decision-making processes do not mirror that collaborative pattern.

Implications for Portugal’s tournament preparations

Martinez’s remarks underscore that, despite Ronaldo’s status, the Portugal coaching staff retain primary authority over selections and tactical decisions. With the World Cup days away and a pre-tournament friendly scheduled against Chile, clarity about roles within the camp matters for how media, opponents and supporters interpret team news and match-day choices.

• Roberto Martinez said Portugal 'work differently' compared to Argentina’s handling of Messi, according to World Soccer Talk.
• The comment came ahead of Portugal’s friendly with Chile and five days before the 2026 World Cup.
• Lionel Scaloni has said he discusses major decisions with Lionel Messi, creating international comparisons.
• No direct quotes from Cristiano Ronaldo or Portugal FA statements were provided in the source article.

Context: captaincy, experience and dressing-room dynamics

The World Soccer Talk piece highlights a broader conversation about the role of superstar captains in national teams. While Argentina’s setup has been portrayed as particularly consultative with its captain, Martinez’s comment serves to manage expectations about how Portugal will make tough calls during the tournament. The source does not provide further specifics on tactical plans, selection choices or Ronaldo’s own views.

What happens next

Portugal will play a pre-World Cup friendly against Chile as part of their final preparations. Martinez’s line about decision-making offers a signal of the coach’s intent to control squad matters centrally; any future clarification or examples of that approach during the tournament would likely come from team announcements, match selections and press-conference exchanges.