Portugal's head coach has revealed why he benched five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in their latest match.
Since Roberto Martinez took charge of the 2016 European champions, the Spanish tactician had never utilised the Al Nassr man as a substitute until A Selecao das Quinas' latest UEFA Nations League encounter against Scotland on Sunday night.
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Ronaldo started that match on the bench, but came on at half-time, when the score was 1-0 to the Scots, to have a decisive impact on the game, scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 come-from-behind victory.
With that strike marking the 901st goal of his illustrious career, Martinez was asked about his decision to ultimately not start the iconic forward for the game, and he insisted the Real Madrid legend needed his minutes managed following their previous encounter against Croatia last Thursday.
"Cristiano is in a good moment," Martinez told reporters, as per Goal.
"It's September, he's played three games, he's scored for his club.
"We need to protect all the players. Cristiano can't play two 90-minute games in 72 hours.
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"The important thing was that, if he needed to be on the pitch, it was to finish the game and not to start.
"I really liked his commitment, he's ready to do what the team needs and be decisive once again."