Ronaldo, Martinez and Jesus: Reported post‑2026 World Cup managerial swap linking Portugal and Al‑Nassr

Roberto Martinez is reportedly set to leave his role as Portugal head coach after the 2026 World Cup, and media outlets say Al‑Nassr have opened talks to make him their next manager — a development that could reunite Martinez with Cristiano Ronaldo at club level. At the same time, Jorge Jesus has been mentioned as a leading candidate to succeed Martinez in Lisbon. The reports emerged in the days following Portugal's 1-1 Group K draw with DR Congo on 17 June 2026, a match that also produced a separate milestone for Ronaldo.

Why it matters

A switch that sent Martinez to Al‑Nassr and Jorge Jesus to Portugal would be an unusual managerial exchange between national‑team and club football that affects two of the game’s highest‑profile figures and a squad packed with elite players. For Portugal, the choice of coach frames preparations for an important post‑World Cup cycle. For Al‑Nassr, hiring Martinez would bring a high‑profile international coach into a side that already features Cristiano Ronaldo and other Portugal internationals.

What the reports say

World Soccer Talk summarised claims from RMC Sport and A Bola that Martinez’s contract with the Portuguese federation is due to expire after the tournament and that he is exploring his next challenge. RMC Sport — via Fabrice Hawkins as cited in those summaries — is reported to have linked Martinez with Al‑Nassr, saying the Saudi club has opened discussions to appoint him as head coach. Separately, ESPN Brasil and CNN Portugal are cited as suggesting Jorge Jesus is among the leading names being considered to replace Martinez as Portugal manager.

These are media reports and, as yet, there is no supplied source metadata confirming any official appointments, contract signatures or comment from the Portuguese Football Federation, Al‑Nassr, Martinez or Jesus. The claims should therefore be read as reported interest and potential moves rather than completed deals.

Ronaldo’s World Cup milestone and the match context

Portugal’s opening Group K fixture finished 1-1 against DR Congo on 17 June 2026 — a result confirmed in the supplied match data — and the game produced two notable narratives. Joao Neves put Portugal ahead before Yoane Wissa levelled for DR Congo with that side’s first ever World Cup goal. Amid the draw, Cristiano Ronaldo marked a personal milestone by becoming only the second player to appear at six separate FIFA World Cups and, according to Opta as reported in the sources, the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days.

Those achievements underline Ronaldo’s continuing profile on the global stage, and they are part of the backdrop to speculation over any potential club‑level reunion with a national team coach who has worked closely with Portugal’s senior players.

Implications for Portugal, Al‑Nassr and key players

If Martinez were to move to Al‑Nassr, the immediate implication would be a high‑profile coach joining a club that has already benefited from Jorge Jesus’s recent tenure. Martinez’s international experience — managing elite players in tournament settings — is presented in the reports as one of the reasons Al‑Nassr would be interested in him. For Portugal, replacing Martinez with a domestic‑experienced coach such as Jorge Jesus would represent a shift in profile from a Spain‑based international manager to a Portuguese club figure with recent success in the Saudi game and other top leagues.

Any change would also influence the working relationship with senior players. The reports note that Martinez has been a defender of Cristiano Ronaldo at international level; a move to Al‑Nassr would place the coach in a daily role with the forward and with other Portugal internationals at the club, including Joao Felix, who is currently part of the Al‑Nassr environment according to the sources.

• Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo on 17 June 2026 (match_data).
• Reports from RMC Sport and A Bola say Roberto Martinez is expected to leave Portugal after the 2026 World Cup and has been linked with Al‑Nassr.
• ESPN Brasil and CNN Portugal are cited as naming Jorge Jesus as a leading candidate to replace Martinez at Portugal.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has become only the second player to appear at six different World Cups and, per Opta as reported, the oldest outfield starter in World Cup history at 41 years and 132 days.

What happens next

At this stage the story rests on media reports. Immediate next steps for verification would be official statements from the Portuguese Football Federation and Al‑Nassr, or confirmation from the managers involved. On the pitch, Portugal remain in Group K and will face Uzbekistan and Colombia in subsequent fixtures, leaving qualification scenarios still open after the draw with DR Congo.

Until clubs, federations or the coaches make announcements, readers should treat the managerial swap as a possible post‑World Cup scenario flagged by multiple outlets rather than a completed sequence of moves.

What it means

A verified move of Martinez to Al‑Nassr would be significant for both international and Saudi club football: it would end Martinez’s Portugal tenure and potentially bring a tournament‑tested coach into daily contact with Cristiano Ronaldo and other Portugal internationals at Al‑Nassr. If Jorge Jesus were to take the Portugal job, the federation would be appointing a coach with recent regional success and familiarity with several Portugal players in the Saudi league. Both scenarios would reshape managerial relationships across national and club lines, but official confirmation is required before treating the reports as fact.