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Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is reportedly close to finalising a move to the Saudi Pro League, where he is expected to reunite with national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spaniard’s tenure with the Selecao looks set to end following the 2026 World Cup, with Al-Nassr emerging as his probable next destination.

Advanced discussions for Saudi role

According to reports from A Bola, Martinez is in advanced talks to become the next head coach of Al-Nassr. The Spanish tactician, who is currently managing Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, is anticipated to step down from his international role once the tournament concludes, succeeding Jorge Jesus in Riyadh.

Negotiations between Martinez and the Saudi club are believed to have begun even before the start of the World Cup. With his contract with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) nearing its end, the former Everton and Belgium boss appears ready to return to club management for the first time since 2016.

Reunion with Ronaldo and Joao Felix

If the deal goes through, Martinez would reunite with several familiar faces from the Portugal squad, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old forward has been a key figure in Martinez’s selections, and the opportunity to work together daily at club level is said to be a major factor driving the negotiations.

Additionally, Joao Felix is also part of the Al-Nassr setup, which would further enhance the Portuguese presence in the Middle East. This potential move comes amid intense pressure on Martinez, as Portugal’s World Cup campaign began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo, raising questions over his management.

Confirmation signals from Al-Nassr

The speculation gained further traction after Saad Al-Subaie, the former director of Al-Nassr’s legal department, commented on the club’s managerial search. Al-Subaie revealed that Marco Silva had been the top candidate before he joined Benfica, and that the club has now narrowed its shortlist to two names.

Al-Subaie wrote on social media, “The first and strongest option was Marco Silva, but in the final moments he made his choice and signed with Benfica. At present, only two options remain — one manages a team at the World Cup, and the other is a coach at a South American club.” It is widely believed that the World Cup manager mentioned is Roberto Martinez.

Portugal’s next chapter

With Martinez expected to depart after the World Cup, the FPF is already exploring potential successors to lead the Selecao into a new era. Interestingly, Jorge Jesus, who Martinez is likely to replace at Al-Nassr, has been linked as a possible candidate to take over the Portuguese national team after the 2026 tournament in North America.

How far can Portugal go?

As the World Cup progresses, the key question remains how far Portugal can advance under Martinez’s leadership before the expected managerial transition takes place.