Martinez coy on future as he plots World Cup triumph for Portugal

[p] [/p][p]Asked about his future following the tournament, 52-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-roberto/hrzqAZfH/"]Martinez[/a] acknowledged ‌that his contract expires following the World Cup, but that he ‌was "focusing on finishing the work we have started three-and-a-half-years ago".[/p][p][b]"This is not news, ‌we have talked about this a lot in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a]," [/b]Martinez said. "[b]The ‌most important thing is to focus on winning the World Cup."[/b][/p][p]Martinez will be without centre-back [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dias-ruben/OpVD3nmU/"]Ruben Dias[/a] against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/czech-republic/6LHwBDGU/"]Congo[/a] after the defender failed to recover in time from a ‌knock sustained in Portugal's friendly against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nigeria/EBE2Xb3l/"]Nigeria[/a].[/p][p][b]"Medically we ⁠need him to be at 100% ‌for a World Cup match and that is how we will proceed. It is ​about not taking risks at this stage of the tournament," [/b]Martinez said.[/p][embed guid="18b8af2e-d854-48fa-bf11-75c67fe28210" url="https://x.com/selecaoportugal/status/2067038262925959487?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]But he will have [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo-cristiano/WGOY4FSt/"]Cristiano Ronaldo[/a], who features in a ​sixth World Cup, though Martinez said it felt as though it was the Portugal forward's first.[/p][p][b]"He is a role model, he is an iconic ⁠player in global football for ​athletes, male and female, who love football. It is his sixth World Cup, but it feels like his first one when it comes to the intensity with which he works.[/b][/p][p][b]"He is essential, he is a striker who can ‌open up spaces for others in the team."[/b][/p][p]Martinez is expecting a tough encounter against Congo, who are physical and quick on the transition. He said they will underestimate the African side at their peril.[/p][p][b]"We need to match the emotions of Congo. If you win by one goal, it is just OK, if you draw it is a catastrophe, and if you lose it is the end of the world.[/b][/p][p][b]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-verde/MocyWdm7/"]Cape Verde[/a] have shown there are no easy games in this World Cup," [/b]he added after the debutants ‌drew 0-0 with European champions [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] in their opening game on Monday.[/p][embed guid="910b8c0a-a5bc-4a60-83e7-a554028f3a0d" url="https://x.com/selecaoportugal/status/2067022175815491900?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fernandes-bruno/GYvAMDm2/"]​Bruno Fernandes[/a] said Portugal will play with former teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diogo-jota/lr5I22zF/"]Diogo Jota[/a] ‌in their thoughts. The forward was killed in a car accident last year and would likely have been an important part of the team at this World Cup.[/p][p][b]"Everyone has spoken about him," [/b]Fernandes said. [b]"He was a great teammate, very down to earth, very passionate about ⁠what he could do for our ⁠country and football as a ‌whole.[/b][/p][p][b]"For us, he is still part of our group."[/b][/p]