According to information circulating in international sports media, Spanish coach Roberto Martínez is expected to no longer continue his collaboration with the Portuguese national team after the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of July this year. Although there is still no official announcement confirmed by the Portuguese federation, sources close to the team suggest that his decision has already been made and that he does not intend to renew.
In this way, regardless of the result that Portugal will achieve in the major competition taking place in North America, the 52-year-old is expected to close a three-year cycle at the head of the Lusitanian representative. This cycle has brought important moments, but also high expectations that have not been completely extinguished, especially due to the great ambitions that the Portuguese national team has in the international arena.
Martínez is reported to have no intention of retiring from international football or its top levels. On the contrary, he is keeping several options open for the future, including a return to the English Premier League, a move to another major European league, or even taking charge of another national team. This makes his professional future still unclear, but at the same time much discussed in European football circles.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s “last dance” on the world stage
Portugal are set to kick off their World Cup campaign on Wednesday, when they face the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match. The competition is being seen as a historic moment for the team, but above all as a stage where the spotlight is on captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
For many analysts and fans, this tournament is considered one of Ronaldo’s last real chances to win the most important trophy missing from his extraordinary career: the World Cup. At his current age and with a career that has surpassed almost every possible record in European and international football, the emotional pressure and symbolism of this tournament are extremely great.
Around him, Portugal is presented with a group of very high-quality players with high experience at the highest levels of world football. Names like Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha give the team creativity in midfield and high technical skills, making Portugal one of the teams often mentioned among the main contenders for the final trophy.
Before the start of the competition, coach Martínez said that the team is not feeling the tournament as a source of excessive pressure, but more as an opportunity to show its true level on the international stage. According to him, the team has the experience and composure necessary to face any challenge.
Martínez’s performance and statistics in charge of Portugal
Despite the debate and criticism that has occasionally accompanied his work, Roberto Martínez’s figures in charge of the Portuguese national team represent a very strong balance. He has achieved a win percentage of around 70%, one of the highest in the history of this representative team.
In terms of offense, the team under his leadership has been characterized by an open and productive game, quickly achieving a high number of goals scored. He has even been mentioned as one of the coaches who has reached the 100-goal mark with the national team fastest, which shows a very attacking and effective approach in building the game.
In terms of trophies, his time in charge of Portugal has also included significant success in the Nations League, where the team managed to triumph in the 2025 final against Spain. However, in the 2024 European Championship, Portugal was knocked out in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought penalty shootout against France, a result that left a mixed taste for fans and analysts.
Looking at his previous experience with Belgium, Martínez has a rich history at major tournaments. He achieved a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, a historic success for Belgium, but also experienced the great disappointment of being eliminated in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup.
An end of a cycle and a historic opportunity
Now, as he awaits his departure at the end of his contract, Martínez faces an opportunity that could define his coaching legacy. He has the chance to lead Portugal to a trophy that no coach in the country’s history has ever won.
For Portugal, this tournament represents more than just a sporting event. It is seen as a possible epilogue to Cristiano Ronaldo’s era on the world stage and a defining moment for the current generation of footballers. For Martínez, it could also be the biggest closing chapter of his career to date, or a starting point for new challenges in another professional direction.