With the Portuguese national team, Roberto Martínez wants to do what he was never able to do as coach of the Belgian team: win a title. As of today, Monday, the 49-year-old Spaniard is officially the new coach of the Iberians.
He succeeds Fernando Santos, who had to retire after losing out in the quarterfinals at the last World Cup. The 68-year-old ultimately failed because of Morocco and probably also – at least partially – because of his rift with Cristiano Ronaldo. Santos had put the idiosyncratic world star on the bench. It was a move that could be justified sportingly, but brought unrest to the team.
What’s next for Ronaldo?
Consequently, one of the main topics at today’s inaugural press conference of Martínez was the future handling of Ronaldo, who has not yet retired from the national team despite his 37 years of age. “I’m not a coach who makes hasty decisions”the Spaniard chose cautious words when asked, “I want to get to know every player and talk to them.”
And further: “Cristiano is part of the 26 World Cup drivers, he has been in the national team for 19 years and deserves respect.” Martínez does not want to give any guarantees: “It’s up to me to put together the best possible team for the EM 2024. Tomorrow we will start work and get to know all the players. Cristiano is one of them.”
“New football project”
“We’re starting a new football project and we’re going to talk to all the players who are eligible for it. We will give every player a chance and respect everyone who has already played in the national team.”according to Martínez, who repeats: “Cristiano is one of them.”
Ronaldo captained the team at the World Cup and has featured 196 times in his career for Portugal (118 goals). At club level, the 37-year-old forward recently joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr FC after his contract with Manchester United was terminated.
