Cristiano Built Portugal's Golden Generation. Until Martinez Destroyed It

Which player would you like to see next? Vitinha and Joao Neves had just won back-to-back Champions Leagues. Bruno Fernandes had just been named the best midfielder in the entire Premier League. And Cristiano Ronaldo was leading the line at his final World Cup. This is the story of how one coach took the most talented generation in Portuguese football history and destroyed it in one summer. We break down why the best midfield trio at this World Cup created almost nothing, how Martinez's system made world-class players invisible, and what the Merino goal in the 91st minute exposed about everything that had gone wrong before it. Ronaldo gave Portugal 23 years. He scored 146 international goals. He won them a European Championship and two Nations Leagues. And he walked off the pitch in tears after a Round of 16 exit with 0.60 expected goals against Spain. Not because the squad wasn't good enough. Bruno Fernandes said it himself after the final whistle — this team had the quality to win the World Cup. This is the story of how Martinez made sure they didn't.