Martinez applauds Portugal’s display despite World Cup exit
By Joel Masibo, July 7, 2026Resigned Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has commended his squad for their determination and fighting spirit after their FIFA World Cup journey came to an end with a narrow 1-0 loss to Spain in Monday’s round-of-16 clash.
Spain secured victory deep into stoppage time when substitute Mikel Merino found the back of the net in a closely contested Iberian encounter.
Reflecting on the defeat, Martinez insisted the result did not reflect his team’s performance.
“It was not a defeat in the sense of how we competed,” Martinez said. “We played against one of the favorites, we looked each other in the eye, and we stayed true to our values. We tried until the very end and gave everything we had.”
The Portuguese tactician noted that knockout matches between elite sides are frequently settled by fine margins instead of overall dominance.
“When you have great teams facing each other, that’s what happens,” he said. “Sometimes the ball goes in, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes a substitute scores the decisive goal. Those details make the difference between winning a World Cup or not.”
Sustained success
Martinez emphasised that Portugal’s World Cup showing should be considered alongside the team’s sustained success in qualifying for major tournaments and consistently challenging the world’s top football nations despite the country’s relatively modest population.
“We are only 10 million people, but we continue to produce outstanding footballers,” he said. “What is important is consistency, focusing on the things you can control and continuing to compete at the highest level.”
The coach also reserved special praise for skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, calling him “an exemplary captain” and recognising his unwavering dedication throughout their three-and-a-half years working together.
“There aren’t many Cristiano Ronaldos,” Martinez said. “His dream was to win the World Cup, and he gave everything for that dream. He has been an example as a footballer, as a captain and as a human being.”
Martinez further revealed that his tenure with Portugal had concluded following the expiration of his contract, describing it as “the end of a cycle” while stating that the national team now required “a new voice and a new leader.”