Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has praised the country’s football structure, calling it one of the strongest development systems in the game, The Guardian reported. He said Portugal stands out as a true football school despite having a population of only around 10 million.
According to Martinez, Portuguese players continue to reach the highest level because they are open-minded, willing to learn languages and eager to build careers across Europe. He said that desire to leave home and develop in more competitive environments helps make them stronger and better prepared for top-level football.
Martinez also pointed to the strength of Portugal’s youth system. He said the current model can produce up to eight players for each position between the ages of 15 and 23, all trained through the same elite methodology. In his view, that consistency has created an impressive pathway from youth football to the senior national team.
He named Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Renato Veiga as examples of players who have already become part of the main squad since his arrival. Martinez described that level of progress as a model of development. Portugal are now set to continue their World Cup preparations with a friendly match against Mexico.
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