Roberto Martínez has stepped down as head coach of Portugal national football team following the team’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal were knocked out in the round of 16 after a 1-0 defeat to Spain national football team, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring a late winner to send Spain into the quarter-finals.
Martínez, who took charge of Portugal in 2023, confirmed after the match that he would not continue as national team coach, describing the decision as the end of a cycle.
“This is my last game with the national team,” Martínez said, adding that he was proud of his time in charge and grateful for the experience of leading Portugal.
The former Belgium national football team coach said leaving was the right decision after Portugal also exited the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024.
Despite Portugal’s early World Cup exit, Martínez rejected claims that the team failed, insisting that the defeat was decided by fine margins against one of the tournament favourites.
“We didn’t fail. We lost a game against a team that is one of the favourites,” he said, praising the quality and effort of his players.
Martínez also defended his decision to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch for the full 90 minutes in what was the forward’s final World Cup appearance.
He said Ronaldo’s experience, movement and ability to influence key moments made him difficult to substitute during a match Portugal needed to win.
Portugal’s exit marked the end of Ronaldo’s World Cup career, with the 41-year-old making his final appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
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