ReutersFarRonaldo and Messi have been compared to each other for the best part of two decades at the top of the game including their thrilling crossover period at ReTribal Footballal Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
"We don't compare with other players of other teams. That would be childish," Martinez said after Portugal's 0-0 draw with Colombia.
"Cristiano is used to being in the right place at the right time. It's more a question of mentally being strong and always being disciplined in position and opening space in our attacking patterns."
Mess has won eight Ballon d'Or's to Ronaldo's five with CR7 claiming five UEFA Champions League crowns up against Messi's tally of four. The debate has rolled on into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the pair becoming the first to play at six competitions on the world stage and Argentina and Portugal have both progressed into the knockouts.
Ronaldo is well clear as the highest appearance maker and goal scorer in international football - with 145 goals in 231 games - but Messi has more World Cup matches and goals than anyone else, after netting his 19th goal on his 29 appearance as Argentina wrapped up Group J with a 3-1 win over Jordan.
Messi also claimed his first World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022, either side of successive Copa Americas, and a world crown is the one major honour which remains outside Ronaldo's grasp.
The pair can now only meet in the finial next month, as Portugal and Argentina are kept apart in the knockout stage bracket, ahead of incoming games against Croatia and Cape Verde.