Why winning Nations League has given Portugal the confidence to go all out at WC

Although the Nations League would appear to be nothing more than an attempt by UEFA to extract even more time and effort from players and managers, as well as finances from supporters, try telling Portugal or Spain that winning the tournament didn't matter.

One only had to witness Cristiano Ronaldo's genuine tears of happiness as the final penalty of this year's edition was slammed home by Ruben Neves to understand just what it meant to him and his teammates.

10 games and 22 goals later, Portugal were once again Nations League champions, taking the trophy back from Spain who had won it themselves back in 2023.

It's the second time the Portuguese have won the tournament of course, doing so in 2019, with France being the only other winners in 2021.

Nations League remains a tournament worth winning

What's also worth considering when looking to besmirch the validity of the competition is that no country plays a weakened team in it. That should tell everyone that it's very much a tournament worth winning.

Given the advancing years of some of Roberto Martinez's players though, the next time Portugal compete for the Nations League, a number of those who were important factors in their win in 2025 could be ousted for younger stars.

For example, Bruno Fernandes (30), Bernardo Silva (30), Joao Palhinha (29), Nelson Semedo (31) and Cristiano Ronaldo (40) are getting no younger.

They do, however, have the bit between their teeth at present and look fully focused on claiming their place at the 2026 World Cup.

Though they are yet to start their qualifying campaign, Martinez should nevertheless be confident in his team's ability to overcome Armenia, Hungary and the Republic of Ireland in Group F.

Focus shouldn't only be on Ronaldo

Much of the national team's focus remains on Ronaldo of course, though that does a disservice to his colleagues.

For example, as a collective across the Nations League campaign, 5,316 successful passes from 5,912 attempted gave Portugal an incredible 89.9% pass completion statistic. 

Arguably, there won't be too many national teams able to equal or better the same, and that control and ball manipulation is probably been the biggest change seen under Martinez.

Portugal's current formFlashscore

With so many Portuguese stars now playing at elite teams across Europe, many with a focus on retaining possession, the Spanish tactician merely has to ensure a collective cohesion within the framework he puts forward for it to work like a dream.

Indeed, regular watchers of the Selecao das Quinas will eulogise on how they are much easier on the eye these days.

The highest levels of discipline

What's also worth paying attention to is that in the 900 minutes of battle in the tournament, no Portuguese player was shown a red card, and of 125 fouls conceded, only one resulted in a penalty for the opposition. 101 of 160 tackles were also won which speaks of a squad with the highest level of discipline and is another plus point for Ronaldo and Co.

Their hard work often goes unnoticed too and is the major reason why Portugal have become so hard to play against. 462 ball recoveries collectively in 10 games for example is another astonishing statistic.

Bruno Fernandes - Nations League stats 2024/25Opta by Stats Perform

Winning the Nations League was a must for Martinez of course given that he was on the verge of being sacked, but he will now fulfil his contract until 2028.

With six wins, three draws and just the one loss on the way to winning the trophy, the manager has enjoyed a very healthy win rate of 60%.

22 goals scored and 11 conceded in those 10 games could perhaps be improved upon, though that's a conversation for another day.

Roberto Martinez is in it for the long haul

"The coach and the players have done an extraordinary job. We leave here today much more satisfied with what we've done and what we're going to do in the future," Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, said after the final on Sunday.

"He (Martinez) has a contract until 2028. This board, although they didn't draw up these contracts, will honour them. We're satisfied with Martinez's work, we never felt the need to go public, not least because he was in competition. 

"He knew exactly what we thought of his work. Now we're going to do a World Cup, with a lot of joy and a huge desire to be world champions."

Portugal manager, Roberto Martinez, after winning the Nations League against SpainČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Eibner-Pressefoto/Florian Wiegand

If Portugal can peak at the right time next summer, having come through their qualification group of course, they've shown beyond doubt that they should be taken seriously as contenders for the 2026 World Cup.

Given that it's likely to be Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's last tournament for their respective countries too, it adds yet another layer of intrigue to what's shaping up to be 'the greatest show on earth.'