Ricardo Carvalho Discusses Cristiano Ronaldo's National Team Management
The former Portuguese international and coaching staff member shared insights into how manager Roberto Martínez handled the star forward.
Ricardo Carvalho, a former member of Portugal's national team coaching staff, recently discussed the challenges and decisions involved in managing Cristiano Ronaldo's playing time. Speaking on John Obi Mikel's podcast, 'The Obi One,' Carvalho addressed why the veteran forward frequently played full matches under manager Roberto Martínez.
Carvalho explained that while he personally believed Ronaldo should have been substituted more often during games, managing the captain was an extraordinarily delicate task. He noted that Ronaldo possesses an insatiable drive to remain on the pitch because of his unwavering belief in his ability to score at any moment, whether from open play or a free kick.
The former defender recalled a specific incident during the group stage match against Uzbekistan at the World Cup, which Portugal won 5-0. With Portugal leading 3-0 and Ronaldo having already scored twice, Martínez considered taking him off. However, the captain pushed back, stating, 'I just started scoring goals, I want more.'
According to Carvalho, this relentless ambition is what has fueled Ronaldo's career and his pursuit of reaching 1,000 career goals. Yet, the assistant coach acknowledged that treating such a prominent player differently created difficult dynamics for the rest of the 26-man squad, particularly for other strikers waiting for minutes.
Reflecting on physical management as players age, Carvalho stated that staying on the field too long often leads to increased fatigue and a loss of sharpness. While he maintained that Martínez ultimately made the decisions he felt were right and remains happy with them, Carvalho admitted he would have preferred to see Ronaldo substituted earlier in matches more frequently.
Beyond national team management, Carvalho shared his thoughts on Ronaldo's evolution as a player compared to his peak years at Real Madrid. He praised Ronaldo's overall completeness, physical power, and aerial ability, noting that while he is no longer the player who scored from distance with astonishing frequency a decade ago, his impact remains substantial.
Looking ahead, Carvalho expressed belief that Ronaldo will continue playing for the national team for as long as he desires, noting that the Portuguese Football Federation values his immense stature and contributions. He added that the door will always remain open for the star forward whenever he decides to return.