Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has gotten a new coach at national team level.
Newsbreak.ng reports that Ronaldo’s new coach is former Belgium and Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
Martinez was named as the new coach of Portugal on Monday, having stepped down as Belgium coach after their elimination from the World Cup in Qatar in the group stage.
Um novo 𝗟𝗶́𝗱𝗲𝗿 ao serviço de Portugal 🇵🇹: bem-vindo, Mister Roberto Martínez! 🤝 #VesteABandeira
A new 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 at 🇵🇹 service: welcome, Coach Roberto Martínez! 🤝 #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/TCDe3yzJr9
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) January 9, 2023
The 49-year-old Spaniard takes over from Fernando Santos.
Martinez was able to guide Belgium to the top of the FIFA world rankings while working with a so-called ‘Golden Generation’, but major honours proved elusive for the coach.
Speaking about the new Al-Nassr forward who turns 38 next month, Coach Martinez said, “Decisions have to be made on the pitch. I’m not a coach who makes hasty decisions. I want to meet everyone, and starting today I want to talk and get to know all the players.
“Cristiano is part of that list, he spent 19 years with the national team and deserves respect, let’s talk. From there, it’s up to me to make the best list for the European Championship. Tomorrow we’ll start working, getting to know all the players, and Cristiano is one of them.
“We are going to start a footballing process to try to get to know all the players that could be part of this selection.
“We are going to give all the players an opportunity and respect all those who are already in the selection.
“Cristiano is one of them, being able to have them by my side. It’s a process that we have to face naturally, with responsibility, and we’re going to make important decisions for the team.”
Discussion about this post