Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly endorsed Roberto Martinez as the "right coach" for the national team following their UEFA Nations League triumph over Spain on Sunday.
The 40-year-old forward used the victory celebration to hit back at critics who had previously questioned Martinez's capabilities, suggesting the Spanish manager had faced unfair criticism since taking charge of the Portuguese national team.
"What they [critics] did to the coach [Martinez] wasn't fair, they beat him up a lot," Ronaldo told reporters after the final. "He is the right coach, the passion he puts into the games not being Portuguese, I respect him even more."
Martinez's Journey with Portugal
Martinez, 51, was appointed as Portugal's manager following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, replacing Fernando Santos. Despite initial skepticism, the Spanish tactician has now silenced critics by securing a major trophy for Portugal.
Ronaldo emphasized that Martinez deserves recognition for the Nations League victory and called for patience to allow the coach to work without undue pressure. "He deserves it [Nations League trophy], it is about respecting him more and letting him work calmly, because after winning this competition, we've to have merit," the former Manchester United star added.
The victory marks a significant achievement for Martinez, who has managed to blend Portugal's experienced players with emerging talents while navigating the challenges of managing a team with high expectations.
In a separate comment after the match, Ronaldo revealed he had played through an injury during the final against Spain, further highlighting the team's determination to secure the trophy.
The Nations League triumph adds another accolade to Portugal's growing collection of international honors, following their Euro 2016 victory and the inaugural Nations League win in 2019.
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