New Portugal Coach Martínez Pledges to Talk to Ronaldo

Fernando Santos, who resigned in December following Portugal's quarterfinal World Cup loss to Morocco, is replaced by the Spaniard. Santos departed after the uproar surrounding Ronaldo's benching during the tournament's quarterfinal round in Qatar.

"I want to talk to everyone. The list of 26 players from the last World Cup will be my starting point, and Cristiano was part of that list," Martínez said. "He has been with the national team for 19 years and deserves the respect of us sitting down and talking. We want to get to know all players, and Cristiano is one of them."

He joins a Portugal squad that features outstanding players like Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Joao Felix, but there are also concerns about the long-term health of the 37-year-old Ronaldo, who is currently playing in Saudi Arabia.

"It's my job to try to give all players an opportunity, and to respect the ones who are already with the national team, including Cristiano Ronaldo," Martínez said. "It's a process that will have to occur naturally. We have a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, and we will have to make some important decisions for the national team."

54 Portuguese players, all of whom are 28 years old or younger, are playing in the top five European leagues, according to Martnez, and they will be strictly monitored.

"Portuguese players always adapt well in the top leagues and give their clubs great competitiveness," Martínez said. "I'm excited about the winning mentality of the Portuguese players. The goal is to keep dreaming big."

Martnez, 49, led Belgium to third-place finishes at the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 European Championship quarterfinals. Despite having great players like Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku, the nation's all-time leading scorer, Belgium never won a major tournament while Martnez was in charge of the team. During that time, Belgium was ranked No. 1 by FIFA for four years.