Roberto Martinez has announced his departure as Portugal coach following the team’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending his three-and-a-half-year tenure. Portugal’s campaign came to an end after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 at the Dallas Stadium. Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in injury time to send Spain into the quarter-finals, while Portugal’s hopes of lifting the World Cup were over. Speaking after the match, Martinez confirmed that the match against Spain was his last game as Portugal manager and said he saw no reason to continue after not getting the team’s final goal. “I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I think that without winning there is nothing to continue,” Martinez told reporters. “The board and the chairman now have the opportunity to choose the new manager… my contract ends today. There is not much more to say.” The former Belgium coach, who took charge of Portugal in 2023, revealed that his departure had not been decided before the tournament. During his tenure, he led the national team to the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 before guiding them to the UEFA Nations League title in 2025. Confirming his exit, Martinez reflected warmly on his time with the national team. “Yes, it’s my last game for the national team,” he said. “I am very proud… I felt welcomed as another Portuguese person, in a very warm way. It was a pleasure, a source of pride and a responsibility.” Defeat also marked the end Cristiano Ronaldothe World Cup career. The 41-year-old had already confirmed before the match that the 2026 tournament would be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage. He finished his World Cup career with 11 goals in 27 games and became the first player to score in six different editions of the tournament. Martinez paid an emotional tribute to his captain, praising him Ronaldothe professionalism and dedication of their time 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 was an example as a footballer, as a captain and as a human being.” Reflecting on Portugal’s defeat, Martinez felt his side had been trailing one of the tournament’s favorites for most of the contest but were ultimately undone by thin margins. “We ended up with sadness. It’s not the result we wanted. The opponent is one of the favorites, but that didn’t stop what we wanted to do. We were courageous defensive, aggressive, we defended very well. But what happens in the Round of 16 of a World Cup are important details.” Martinez now leaves Portugal after overseeing a successful spell that included a UEFA Nations League triumph, but with the World Cup title he and the Portuguese Football Federation had targeted remaining out of reach.