‘There’s no point in continuing’: Roberto Martinez resigns as Portugal coach after World Cup exit Football News
Roberto Martinez announced his resignation as Portugal coach after the team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, ending his three-and-a-half-year coaching career. Portugal’s season ended with a 0-1 loss to Spain in the last 16 at the Dallas Stadium. Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in injury time to send Spain into the quarter-finals and end Portugal’s hopes of lifting the World Cup. After the game, Martinez confirmed that the game against Spain was his last game as Portugal coach and said that he saw no reason to continue after failing to achieve the team’s ultimate goal. “I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I think if you can’t win the World Cup, there is no point in continuing,” Martinez told reporters. “The board and the president now have the opportunity to choose a new coach… My contract expires today. There is nothing more to say.” The former Belgium coach, who will coach Portugal in 2023, revealed that he has not decided to leave before the World Cup. During his tenure, he led the national team to the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Cup and then led the team to the 2025 UEFA Nations League title. After confirming his exit, Martinez looked back warmly on his time with the national team. “Yes, this is my last game for the national team,” he said. “I’m very proud… As another Portuguese I feel welcomed very warmly. It’s a pleasure, a sense of pride and responsibility.” This defeat also marked the cristiano ronaldoWorld Cup career. The 41-year-old had confirmed before the game that the 2026 World Cup would be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage. He ended his World Cup career with 11 goals in 27 games and became the first player to score in six different tournaments. Martinez paid tribute to his captain, praising ronaldoThe professionalism and dedication shown throughout their time together. “There are not many Cristiano Ronaldo,” Martinez said. “His dream was to win the World Cup and he gave everything for that dream. He was an example as a footballer, as a captain and as a person.” Looking back on Portugal’s defeat, Martinez believes his team were neck-and-neck with one of the tournament favorites for much of the game, but ultimately lost by a narrow margin. “We ended the game with sadness. It was not the result we wanted. The opponent was one of the favourites, but that didn’t stop us from doing what we wanted to do. We were brave in defence, aggressive and we defended well. But what happened in the last 16 of the World Cup are the details that matter.” Martinez leaves Portugal after a successful period that included a UEFA Nations League victory, but his and the Portuguese FA’s goal of a World Cup title remains out of reach.
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