Martínez: "All our players are prepared, and we carry the dreams of the Portuguese people"

As the Portugal national team departed for the United States, inching closer to their 2026 World Cup debut, Roberto Martínez offered words of hope from beside the team bus.

The national coach spoke immediately after Cristiano Ronaldo, who stated the formula is simple: win. Martínez embraced this 'positive pressure.' "I believe it's crucial because we now have three matches, and what we achieve in those three matches will demonstrate our next step. So, being able to win these games is the collective objective, and I feel the players are individually prepared. The game-by-game goal is likely to try and do what the team needs to win, and I think that's a very objective and clear step for all of us."

When asked to suggest a nickname for the national team or its players, Martínez highlighted their characteristics: "I think this is a generation of great responsibility and immense talent. So, while we have a group of talented players, it's more about the attitude, focus, and the responsibility of representing the Portugal jersey that I believe is most important."

The coach has often referred to the 'World Cup of two World Cups,' separating the group stage from the rest. "We had doubts during the preparation period due due to the players' condition and the risk of injuries. I can say that today, on this bus, we have 27 players who are all fit, all prepared, and all with incredibly high enthusiasm. It's true that for us, the World Cup is just three games, and now we need to reach the next step, which is to get to the 'second World Cup.'"

Finally, what message would you like to convey to the Portuguese community, who are excited to see Portugal in the USA? "First, I want to thank them for the support we received in the two friendly matches here [Chile and Nigeria], because that strength was exactly what we needed for the psychological preparation of the group, so we are grateful for that. And then, just to say that we are prepared, we will give everything, we will fight, we have incredible team values, we carry the dreams of all Portuguese people, we have the responsibility, but we will fight together, and when we are together, we are better."

The national team held its final training session at the Cidade do Futebol in front of numerous guests, mostly young fans, who took the opportunity to snap photos and request autographs.

Before heading to the airport, where the Nuno Álvares Pereira plane awaits to transport Portugal, the delegation will be received at São Bento by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.