Portugal in Transition: Roberto Martinez’s frank assessment after the US tour and the new faces making their mark

Rain pounds on the roof of the training centre; inside, the air is still thick with sweat and focus. The last session before heading home is done, and the bags are packed for the flight with TAP Air Portugal. For Roberto Martinez, this was no ordinary trip. It was a fact-finding mission. And after the 1-2 loss to Belgium – the final test in the US – the national coach now has a clearer picture of what his side is really about.

“We’ve got 60 days now to keep tabs on all the players,” Martinez said after the final whistle. You could tell he liked the sound of that. He didn’t come across as a coach feeling the pressure, but as one piecing together his squad. The Portuguese national football team is in a period of transition – that was plain to see across the two games against the US and Belgium. Martinez is looking for new solutions, for flexibility, for that particular mix of old strength and fresh energy.

The search for new solutions

If you were paying close attention, you could see the Spaniard’s imprint in the sessions. It’s no longer just about the big names for him. It’s about the system, about building those automatic connections. The loss to Belgium was, to be honest, a wake-up call. But Martinez is a master at turning setbacks into insights. Instead of dwelling on it, he highlighted what the trip gave him: clarity.

“We saw players who showed they’re ready,” the coach said. It’s a statement that reads like an open invitation to the clubs in the Liga Portugal. The door isn’t shut – quite the opposite. Over the next two months, every scouting report, every detail from club training sessions will be relevant to Martinez.

One jersey, two stories

While the men’s side is fine-tuning tactics, the focus remains on the country as a whole. The Portuguese women’s national football team has enjoyed a similar rise in recent years, and support for the “Seleção” is growing across the board. There’s a sense of momentum sweeping through the footballing nation. Martinez benefits from an environment where every detail – from the flight across the Atlantic to the state of the pitch – has to be spot on.

• Explaining the omissions: One name was notably absent from the squad: Pedro Gonçalves. Martinez explained the decision with his trademark directness. It wasn’t about footballing quality, but a simple – yet crucial – factor in elite sport: “The pitch was a bit risky.” It was a risk he didn’t want to take. A sign that he’s protecting the player and prioritising the long-term plan over short-term gains.
• The new faces: During the sessions, players like youngster Geovany Quenda and the energetic João Mário from the Liga Portugal got minutes. They’re the future, and they’re already knocking on the door.
• Looking ahead: Martinez doesn’t want stagnation. The 60 days until the next camp feel like a treasure hunt for him. Any player who shines in the domestic league or abroad can put their hand up.

For us observers, this US trip was a valuable snapshot. Yes, the results were mixed. But listening to Martinez’s words, you sense: it’s about substance for him. It’s about building a collective by the summer that doesn’t just compete, but that makes people take notice. The trip back to Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal will be time for him to quietly put the next pieces of the puzzle together. I’m curious to see who’ll be in the squad in 60 days. The door is open – for anyone brave enough to walk through it.