Cristiano Ronaldo has come out strongly in support of Roberto Martinez after Portugal lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy on Sunday night, defeating Spain 2-1 in a tightly contested final at Estádio do Dragão, Porto. The 40-year-old captain praised Martinez’s leadership and dismissed critics who doubted the Spanish tactician’s capabilities when he was appointed.
Martinez, who took over the Portuguese national team in January 2023 after Fernando Santos’ departure post-World Cup 2022, had faced skepticism from sections of the media and fans due to his underwhelming end with Belgium. However, two years into his tenure, the Nations League trophy is now proof of a resurgent Portugal under his guidance.
Ronaldo, speaking to Portuguese outlet O Jogo after the victory, said: “What they did to the coach wasn’t fair. They beat him up a lot. He is the right coach. The passion he brings to the game, even as a non-Portuguese, makes me respect him more.” His comments follow months of media scrutiny that questioned Martinez’s tactical acumen and adaptability.
Since taking charge, Martinez has rebuilt the squad, integrating emerging stars like Gonçalo Ramos, João Neves, and António Silva with veterans like Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo himself. Portugal went unbeaten throughout the Nations League campaign, scoring 17 goals and conceding just 3 in the process.
The victory marks Portugal’s second UEFA Nations League title, having first won it in 2019 under Santos. Ronaldo, who now has 131 international goals, also made history by becoming the oldest player to appear in a UEFA Nations League final, further cementing his legendary status.
Martinez, 51, said after the match: “This team believed in our project. They trusted each other, trusted the process, and now we celebrate a victory that belongs to every Portuguese citizen.” He credited Ronaldo’s leadership for uniting the locker room and driving performance on and off the pitch.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to resume later this year, the Nations League win has injected renewed belief in Portugal’s ambitions. As for Ronaldo, his latest comments shut down the noise around Martinez and redirect focus to building a new golden era for Portuguese football.
