Jose Mourinho delivered a sharp assessment of Portugal after the goalless friendly with Mexico, arguing that the national team offers little threat when Cristiano Ronaldo is absent. Mourinho focused on the lack of cutting edge in attack and suggested opponents feel far more comfortable when Ronaldo is not on the pitch.
Ronaldo is out with a muscle injury and did not travel for the match at Estadio Azteca, where Goncalo Ramos started as striker. Portugal still created some openings but failed to convert them, leaving head coach Roberto Martinez with more questions as the World Cup in June draws closer.
Mourinho did not hold back when describing Portugal without the veteran forward. "Take Cristiano Ronaldo out of the picture and Portugal look like
any run-of-the-mill team, he said. People keep asking us not to call him up. Well, he didn't play, and you saw the result. No threat, no fear from the opposition. Just a team being put under pressure by Mexico. When Ronaldo is on the pitch, the opposition think twice. Without him, they don't think at all. "
Across the 0-0 draw, Portugal had 10 attempts but hit the target only twice. The side posted 1.4 expected goals, yet Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo and Pedro Neto all failed to finish promising chances. Mexico stayed organised at the back and increasingly pushed Portugal deeper, especially in the second half.
The result means Martinez will enter the final preparation phase still relying heavily on Ronaldo’s fitness. Portugal meet the United States in another friendly on Tuesday, and Ronaldo is expected to remain sidelined. Medical staff are working towards the World Cup opener against either Congo DR or Jamaica on 17 June.
If recovery goes to plan, Ronaldo will feature at a World Cup finals tournament for the sixth time, setting a new appearance record. That potential milestone underlines why the forward remains central to Portugal’s plans, despite criticism over dependence on one player.
