Roberto Martinez has announced his decision to resign as head coach of Portugal following a 1-0 defeat against Spain in the round of 16 in 2026. FIFA World Cup. After the match, Roberto explained that his mission has always been to lead Portugal to win the World Cup. After the departure of his team from WC, he felt it was the right time for a change.
‘It’s the end of the cycle’
“It’s the end of a cycle. It’s important to have a new voice, a new leader. It wasn’t decided before (that I would leave after the tournament). I came with the goal of winning the World Cup, and because I didn’t win, it doesn’t make sense to continue. I take the memory with me, and I hope that Portugal It has a good memory of the three and a half years I was the head coach of the team. It was the experience of my life,” he said.
Roberto Martínez announces his departure from the national team and thanks the people of Portugal, the players, the FPF and the coaching staff:
🗣️ “It was an incredible period. Pride that I can’t describe. The power, the power we had from all the Portuguese was incredible.” pic.twitter.com/63tNnPCn6Y
— Canal 11 (@Canal_11Official) July 6, 2026
Roberto took charge of Portugal in 2023, leading the team to an impressive qualification campaign before their World Cup journey ended against Spain.
Martinez praises Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal’s defeat against Spain was evident RonaldoThe final match of the FIFA World Cup. After losing the match, CR7 was visibly emotional, bringing the curtain down on an incredible World Cup career.
Roberto hailed Ronaldo as an ‘exemplary captain’ and one of football’s greatest figures. “I arrived in Portugal at a time when there was a lot of confusion and questions about him. For his position, he has been an example in terms of goals, but also the average, the assists he gave in attacks, counter-attacks. There are not many Cristiano Ronaldo out there, the way he commits himself to football, he is a role model. He is a person to celebrate. What we need to celebrate the World Cup. What we need to thank him for the World Cup. A great example of football, an athlete, and the human being behind that athlete,” he said.
Cristiano Ronaldo crying after Portugal’s elimination against Spain.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this man cry in my life #PORxESP pic.twitter.com/qaXIlDX93n
– ☙ (@layzhis) July 6, 2026
Ronaldo and his journey to the World Cup
Cristiano’s World Cup journey spanned six editions of the tournament. For those who don’t know, Portugal finished fourth in 2006, reached the round of 16 in 2010, exited the group stage in 2014, was eliminated in the round of 16 in 2018, entered the quarter-finals in 2022, and was eliminated in the round of 16 in 2026.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo retiring?
The famous footballer will not retire completely and continues to work under a contract with the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr until June 2027.
(Feature Photo Credit: Chris Sweetman X/ Cristiano Ronaldo Instagram)
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