Roberto Martinez insists Portugal’s last-32 match against Croatia must not become Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance, as the captain prepares for another knockout test and long-time rival Luka Modric also faces the possibility of a farewell on football’s biggest international stage.

Ronaldo is due to feature in a World Cup knockout tie for the ninth time, yet the forward is still searching for a first goal at this phase after eight previous attempts and now stands on 24 tournament games, with this Croatia clash set to move the tally to 25 if selected.

Portugal come into the Croatia meeting having taken second place in Group K, collecting draws against DR Congo and Colombia around a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, and that mixed run helped extend an unbeaten sequence to three games, with one victory and two stalemates recorded.

{TABLE_1}

Martinez’s team have advanced beyond the opening knockout round at each of the last two major tournaments and now chase a deeper World Cup run, after only twice previously managing streaks of four or more games without defeat in a single edition, in 1966 with four and in 2006 with five.

Alongside Ronaldo, Modric is also facing a possible final World Cup outing, and both veterans have started all three matches for their countries at this tournament so far, with the pair bringing vast experience from years together at Real Madrid between 2012 and 2018.

“We are talking about players who are beyond public opinion, Martinez said. Their longevity in football makes them special. You’re talking about Luka Modric, now over 40 years old, who continues to play an enormous number of matches and remains extremely important. The same is true of our captain. Anyone who talks about ageage is just a number. What matters is what they do and the example they set in the dressing room. They are icons; it’s important to have these examples. Let’s hope this isn’t Ronaldo’s last dance.”

Portugal World Cup preparation and Martinez outlook

Martinez accepts Portugal have not reached full rhythm yet, but the head coach believes the group-stage schedule offered useful tests before Croatia, and expects the team to reach a higher level once the knockouts begin and the margin for error disappears.

“The team is very strong, thanks to the unity, talent, and commitment we have, he added. I’m confident. The preparation consisted of the three games we played, with difficult moments where we showed resilience and intensity. When you’re at a good level, winning is important, but losing is also important. Not losing against Colombia was very important. The World Cup starts [on Thursday].”

Martinez’s comments underline how much Portugal rely on leadership from senior players such as Ronaldo, whose status within the dressing room remains central, while Modric continues to guide Croatia in similar fashion as both figures try to extend impressive World Cup careers for at least one more match.