"Enough of this gimmick man", "Why's he starting" - Portugal fans unhappy with star's inclusion in XI as Cristiano Ronaldo's side take on Spain
Portugal fans on X are fearing the worst after Roberto Martinez included Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate Bernardo Silva in the starting XI to face Spain. The two sides are set to lock horns in the UEFA Nations League final at the Allianz Arena later tonight (Sunday, June 8).
Diogo Costa starts in goal for Portugal. Joao Neves, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, and Nuno Mendes make up the defense. The midfield comprises of Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Bruno Fernandes. Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceicao, and Cristiano Ronaldo start up front to complete the starting XI.
Bernardo Silva struggled to impress for Manchester City this season, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. The 30-year-old also started for A Selecao during their 2-1 win over Germany in the Nations League semi-finals, but was unable to make an impact going forward.
One fan posted:
"Enough of this Bernardo gimmick man"
Another fan tweeted:
"Why’s bernardo starting?"
Other fans reacted below:
"Bernardo big 2025," one fan commented
"Bernardo Silva starting gives me heart attack," another admitted
"Don't get the obsession with Bernardo Silva same with pep and Martinez," one fan stated
"I don't blame him, i absolutely don't trust Dalot & semedo against Nico at all. The problem is, wtf is Bernardo Silva doing in a Portugal shirt in 2025???" another questioned
"Ffs. why is bernardo starting and where is joao neves… 0 balance in that midfield, vitinha will be cooked after 60 mins with the amount of work he will have to do," one fan chimed in
"There has been a bit of a lack of respect in this regard" - Cristiano Ronaldo defends Portugal boss Roberto Martinez ahead of Spain clash
Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo has called out Roberto Martinez's critics for showing a lack of respect ahead of their Nations League final fixture against Spain. The 40-year-old also reckons Martinez has done an excellent job to date in terms of results and passion off the pitch.
Roberto Martinez replaced Fernando Santos as Portugal's head coach following A Selecao's disappointing 2022 FIFA World Cup exit. Despite leading his team to the Nations League final, many fans have criticized the Spaniard after they failed to advance past the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo said (via GOAL):
"If a coach reaches the final, it is because he has done an excellent job. Questioning someone who has a spectacular record for Portugal makes me confused, but I understand. If a coach gets to the final and he is questioned, imagine the others. There has been a bit of a lack of respect in this regard. Talking about other coaches is a lack of sense, but the coach has done an extraordinary job."
He added:
"Even when you win, there is this debate, but it is part of the parrots who are at home and give their opinion. What we have to say is that we are very happy with the work that the coach has done, because arriving with a different nationality, speaking our language, singing our anthem with a passion that I see, that is what I value most. The rest doesn't matter at all. The results are very positive, regardless of whether we win or not. There will always be debate, but, for me, it makes no sense at all."
Martinez has led Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal for a total of 29 games across all competitions, winning 21, drawing four, and losing four.
