Javier Hernandez, a former star of the Mexico national team, has advised Portugal’s midfielders to learn from Lautaro Martinez’s collaboration with Lionel Messi to enhance Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance. He emphasized the importance of supporting Ronaldo rather than competing against him.
Both Messi and Ronaldo are leading their national teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi has been exceptional, scoring six goals in just three matches. However, Ronaldo has faced challenges, netting only three goals over four games.
Thanks for the submission!
Hernandez, serving as a pundit for Fox during Portugal’s Round of 32 match against Croatia, commented on Ronaldo’s role in the team. He observed that Portuguese players tend to compete with Ronaldo instead of leveraging his expertise to secure victories.
Chicharito urged Portuguese midfielders to follow Martinez’s example. Although a prominent figure at Inter Milan, Martinez supports Messi’s brilliance. Hernandez stated:
“A great example is Lautaro Martinez in the Argentine national team. He is the star and main man for Inter Milan in Italy. Then he goes to the national team, and he has to do whatever they ask of him to do it to help Messi and the national team.
“So I hope the midfielders of Portugal can do that. They can realise the player they have in front. So instead of competing against him, they should use him.”
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo eye a golden farewell on the international stage
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo aim to conclude their international careers with a triumphant finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Having participated in six editions, both are expected to retire from international play after this tournament.
Ronaldo’s sister recently revealed that the 41-year-old plans to retire post-tournament. Meanwhile, Messi hinted at his potential final appearance with Argentina, including a farewell match during the World Cup qualifier in September.
The Inter Miami star seeks back-to-back World Cup victories, which would make him the first captain to achieve this feat. Ronaldo, on the other hand, hopes to lead A Selecao to their first World Cup win.
Edited by Okenna Okere
