In their latest match, Portugal's head coach explained why he benched five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
In A Selecao das Quinas' latest UEFA Nations League match against Scotland on Sunday night, Roberto Martinez used the Al Nassr man as a substitute for the first time since he took charge of the 2016 European champions.
After starting the game on the bench, Ronaldo came on at halftime to make a decisive impact on the game, scoring the winning goal in the Scots' 2-1 comeback victory.
Martinez was asked about his decision not to start the iconic forward for the game after that strike marked his 901st goal in his illustrious career, and he said he needed to manage his minutes following their previous match against Croatia.
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Martinez told reporters, "Cristiano is in a good place right now."
It's September, he's played three games, he's scored.
The players need to be protected. Cristiano cannot play two 90-minute games in 72 hours.
When he needed to be on the pitch, it was to finish the game, not to start it.
He is ready to do what the team needs and be decisive once again."
