Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has urged his team to embrace the pressure of World Cup expectations, describing the country as a ‘football school’ and vowing to take risks in pursuit of glory. Speaking ahead of friendlies against co-hosts Mexico and the United States, the Spaniard reflected on his unlikely journey from the English Third Division to leading one of the tournament favourites.
Martínez, who took over Portugal in January 2023, recalled his 1995 move to Wigan Athletic as a 21-year-old unknown who spoke no English. ‘You get there and the mountain is so big, you have no objective other than survive,’ he said. ‘But my attitude was always: “Why not?”’ He described the culture shock of English lower-league football, where ‘second ball’ was a priority over possession, but insisted he never considered quitting.
The 51-year-old, who previously coached Belgium for six years, has built a squad blending veteran Cristiano Ronaldo with emerging talents like Pedro Neto, Vitinha, João Neves and Renato Veiga. ‘Portugal is a football school,’ Martínez said. ‘Ten million people and yet they fill the world’s best dressing rooms. There’s a willingness to leave to complete their development, which helps them to be ultra-competitive but respectful.’
Drawing on a quote from Portugal’s 1966 coach Otto Glória, Martínez said: ‘He was asked: “Can you win it?” He said: “Let us dream,” and I think that’s lovely. Why not embrace the expectation now? Build hope? Why not take on that responsibility; if people think this team can go a long way, go along with it.’
The former Wigan, Swansea and Everton boss acknowledged the pain of past failures but insisted dreaming is essential. ‘It’s a hammer blow when you don’t succeed, but let us dream,’ he said. With 75 days until the World Cup, Martínez’s Portugal are among the favourites, and he is ready to take risks to bring the trophy home.
