Portugal are reportedly set to name Jorge Jesus as their next manager after Roberto Martinez stepped down following the team's premature exit from the FIFA World Cup. The 71-year-old coach, who previously managed Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, is the leading candidate to take over the national team, according to Portuguese media reports cited by Reuters.
Roberto Martinez Resigns After Round of 16 Defeat
Portugal's World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the round of 16, courtesy of a late winner by Mikel Merino. The defeat also dashed the hopes of 41-year-old icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who was playing in his final World Cup, of lifting the trophy. Following the exit, manager Roberto Martinez announced his departure, stating the team needed a "new voice, a new leader." Martinez had taken over the Portuguese national team in 2023.
Jorge Jesus: A Veteran Coach with a Rich Pedigree
Jorge Jesus is one of the most influential figures in Portuguese football, having managed top clubs such as Benfica and Sporting CP. He left Al Nassr after winning the Saudi Pro League with Ronaldo in May. His appointment would bring a wealth of experience to the national team setup.
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Legacy
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career ends with 27 matches (second most by a player) and 11 goals—a tally considered underwhelming for a player of his stature. In his final match against Spain, he recorded 17 shots without creating a single chance for his teammates, the most by any player in a World Cup match. Despite the disappointing exit, Ronaldo had a decent tournament overall, scoring three goals in five matches.
Portugal's World Cup journey under Ronaldo has seen mixed results: fourth place in his debut tournament in 2006, round of 16 exits in 2010 and 2018, a group stage exit in 2014, and a quarterfinal appearance in 2022. The 2022 edition was particularly painful as his long-time rival Lionel Messi led Argentina to the title, effectively ending the 'GOAT' debates.
Records and Milestones
Despite the team's struggles, Ronaldo achieved several personal milestones in this World Cup. He became the first player to feature in a World Cup knockout match at age 41 or older, facing former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric in a match that also marked the first World Cup knockout game with two outfield players aged 40 or above. He also became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history at 41 years and 147 days, scoring his first-ever World Cup knockout goal.
In the group stage, Portugal started with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, followed by a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan in which Ronaldo scored twice. He became Portugal's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 10 goals, surpassing Eusebio's record of nine. Ronaldo also became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments, ending a 10-match goalless streak across major competitions. Portugal concluded their group stage with a goalless draw against Colombia.
Future of Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has not yet indicated his international future, stating after the match that no "rash decisions" will be made regarding his Portugal career. While he confirmed this was his last World Cup, his participation in future tournaments remains uncertain.
