Roberto Martinez says Portugal’s players need not be overawed by paying tribute to Diogo Jota during Thursday’s last 32 clash against Croatia but that his team remain massively incentivised to win the World Cup for their late forward. The game between Portugal and Croatia falls just a day short of the first anniversary of Jota’s death, when aged just 28.
“I think every day is difficult,” said Martinez, the Portugal head coach, when asked whether the Croatia tie would have added resonance. “You are training and there are always moments when Diogo Jota comes into our memory. I wouldn’t say the anniversary is especially difficult. It is a little bit of a celebration, we need to honour Diogo. it is a moment to cherish.
“We won the Nations League with him, he is probably the sign and the light of the biggest stimulation we have. We want to win the World Cup for him. The anniversary means the game needs to be Diogo Jota’s game. It is not a difficult moment. When he is with us we are a stronger team. When we don’t win a game, we reference that his desire and his belief is always in our presence.”
In the aftermath of the 0-0 draw with Colombia, Martinez shrugged aside the question over whether he should limit the minutes of Cristiano Ronaldo. In a match where Portugal were second best, Ronaldo struggled. Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland have had their game time managed during this World Cup’s group phase. “We don’t compare players in our team with other players,” said Martinez. “That would be quite childish and unprofessional.”
