Roberto Martinez did not look too impressive in the beginning of his stint with Portugal, but a UEFA Nations League title in 2025 has given the country hope that he could be the man to break the duck. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

You don’t often criticise a manager who has just guided a team to third place in a World Cup, but Roberto Martinez’s stint with Belgium felt more like a missed opportunity with a golden generation rather than an achievement.

The Spaniard did not look too impressive in the beginning of his stint with Portugal, but a UEFA Nations League title in 2025 has given the country hope that he could be the man to break the duck.

Martinez returns to a second consecutive World Cup, having been in charge of Belgium at Qatar 2022.

Roberto Martinez’s record as head coach:

• Matches: 563
• Wins: 259
• Draws: 143
• Losses: 161
• Win percentage: 46

Roberto Martinez’s record as Portugal head coach:

• Matches: 40
• Wins: 28
• Draws: 7
• Losses: 5
• Win percentage: 70

What did Roberto Martinez say before Portugal vs DR Congo?

“We’ve got very little to win tomorrow from the outside. If you win against Congo, it’s expected. If you win by one, it’s a big problem. If you draw, it’s a catastrophe. If you lose, this is the end of the world,” Martinez said.

“They come with no expectations, and they are enjoying being here. We’ve seen incredible performances from teams like Qatar, Cape Verde, exemplary performances that show you that there are no easy games in a World Cup.”

Published on Jun 17, 2026