Portugal 's identity on the pitch is once again under scrutiny, and this time the spotlight is not just on Cristiano Ronaldo .
As the national team continues to evolve, questions are being raised about whether the current setup is maximizing its talent.
And according to one football expert, the issue may lie in how heavily the system still revolves around one player.
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Speaking to talkSPORT , Andy Brassell suggested that the situation has been made more complicated than necessary.
"I feel that Martinez has made Ronaldo and dealing with Ronaldo more of a difficult situation than it should be.
"I think, if he'd have left him out on occasion during the Euros or the qualifying campaign, where, it's great he's breaking all these records, but he's really got nothing to prove," Brassell said.
He added, "… And sometimes, it does feel as if – and this is no disrespect to what has been an unbelievable career, but it does feel that Martinez has arrived at a time in Portuguese football where people would understand if he left Ronaldo out."
The comments point toward a broader tactical challenge, balancing respect for Ronaldo's legacy while adapting to a squad that has grown beyond needing to rely solely on him.
It also raises questions about whether rotation and flexibility could unlock more from the rest of the team.
Brassell went further by identifying who should be at the center of Portugal's current project.
"The fact is, the team shouldn't run around him anymore, it really should be Bruno Fernandes' team, he's a real leader," he continued.
"But Portugal have the talent to be the champions, and I think both them and Argentina have a decision to make," Brassell further stated.
The shift he describes is less about replacing Ronaldo and more about redistributing responsibility within a squad filled with high-level talent.
Fernandes' influence, both in terms of creativity and leadership, has increasingly positioned him as a natural focal point in midfield.
How Portugal manage that transition could ultimately define their success in major tournaments moving forward.
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