Spanish hearts may not easily accept one of its sons that leads a traditional opponent towards glory, but football does not recognize emotions as much as they glorify those who write history with performance and achievement.
This is how Roberto Martinez, the Catalan coach who exceeded the limits of belonging, and led Portugal to the summit of Europe at the expense of his mother country, stressing that the era of professionalism does not have mercy on hesitation, but rather rewards courage and success.
In one of the most exciting moments in modern football, Martinez led Portugal to crown the European Nations League 2024/2025, at the expense of his mother country Spain, after a dramatic match that ended in a draw (2-2) in the original and additional time, and was settled by a penalty shootout (5-3).
This unique scene was not just a sports victory, but a living embodiment of what the professional era can offer, when coaches and players exceed the limits of geography and emotions for glory and achievement.
Ibn Catalonia, who gave glory to the country of Vasco da Gama
Roberto Martinez was born in Balag, in Lida Province in the Catalonia region, and began his football career with his town club at the age of nine. Then he moved at the age of sixteen to Real Zaragoza, where he was not satisfied with playing the ball.
Later, Martinez moved in his training career between Swansea, Wigan, Everton, and Belgium, before he trained Portugal in 2023, succeeding Fernando Santos.
Despite his Spanish affiliation, Martinez proved that he was a high -ranking professional coach, he rebuilt Portugal after the departure of the golden generation led by Cristiano Ronaldo, and he succeeded in integrating experience with young talents, and formulating a team capable of competing for years to come.
From professionalism to glory
What Martinez did was not easy at the psychological level, as he faced his country of origin in a final match, in front of a team that he knows well, and among players that may carry buried national feelings towards them. However, she acts as a mature leader and treated with high professionalism, to lead Portugal to gold, amid applause from an audience that respects the work more than the roots.
Current the taste of the future
With the Nations League 2024/2025, Portugal writes a new chapter in its football history. It is not only the culmination of a continental champion, but also to prove that the new project led by Martinez is going in the right direction. A new team, with a new mindset, and without relying on yesterday’s legends, but also by making stars today and tomorrow.
