Portugal: Roberto Martinez, a former coach of Belgium, has joined the Portugal team as their new coach. The Spaniard promised to meet with star player Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss his future with the club.

The 49-year-old Martinez replaced Fernando Santos, who resigned from his position after Portugal’s shocking World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Morocco. “I appreciate the enthusiasm and ambition with which he received the invitation,” Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) President Fernando Gomes remarked.

Following Belgium’s exit from the World Cup group stage, Martinez announced his resignation as coach. The coach also commented that he had already made up his mind to quit his six-year contract and would have done so even if they had won the tournament. After a protracted tenure as coach, he brought the team to the top of the world rankings and third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“I am delighted to be able to represent one of the most talented teams in the world, I understand there are great expectations … but I also understand there is a very large team… and together we will achieve our goals,” Martinez observed.

The 68-year-old Santos took charge of Portugal in 109 games despite receiving harsh criticism for his coaching style and for benching forward Cristiano Ronaldo for two consecutive World Cup games. They won the European Championship in 2016 and UEFA’s inaugural Nations League in 2018-19.

Martines told that he would contact Ronaldo, who last month joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

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