Martinez Announces Departure from Portugal National Team After World Cup Exit

The Portugal national team coach has officially announced his departure following his country's 1-0 loss to Spain and elimination from the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, confirming that his contract has ended and that it is time to start a new chapter.

In his post-match comments, the coach stated: "This was certainly my last match with the Portugal national team. I came here to win the World Cup, and I believe that without achieving this goal, there is no point in continuing."

He added: "My contract ends today, and the president of the Portuguese Football Federation has every right to choose the new coach. I thank him, as well as the federation for all the support they have given me throughout this period."

Regarding the reasons for the exit from the tournament, he said: "We feel sad because the result was not what we wanted. We faced one of the top contenders for the title, but that did not prevent us from playing courageously. We were defensively organized and defended well, but World Cup matches are decided by small details. A ball hitting the crossbar or a last-minute goal can make the difference. I believe we lacked luck."

The coach refused to consider Portugal's participation a failure, stating: "We did not fail; we lost to a title contender. We played competitively and the players showed great quality. We tried until the last minute, and everyone gave their all on the pitch."

He continued: "I leave proud of what we achieved. We won the UEFA Nations League, set the best records in the history of the national team in terms of points and goals, and provided opportunities for many players to represent Portugal. This is the legacy I leave behind."

He concluded his remarks by saying: "I would like to thank the Portuguese people for their support over the past years, as well as the players, coaching staff, and the Portuguese Football Federation. I will cherish unforgettable memories, and I hope everyone remembers that we gave everything we had for the national team."