Defender · #0 · Brazil · 46 yrs
Fernando Santos is a defender. Fernando Santos is a Brazilian international, 46 years old, defender. Fernando Santos was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 1980-02-25. Fernando Santos is 192 cm cm tall and weighs 90 kg kg. Fernando Santos's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore Fernando Santos season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
Defender · #0
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2014 |  Linense LIN |
| 2013 |  Madureira MAD |
| 2012 |  Guarani Campinas GUA |
| 2011 |  Guaratinguetá AME |
| 2010 |  Vasco DA Gama VAS |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-06-29 | Free | Guaratinguetá AME | Guarani Campinas GUA |
| 2011-08-01 | N/A | Vasco DA Gama VAS | Guaratinguetá AME |
With the tournament already underway and expectations rising around one of the strongest squads in international soccer, fresh reports suggest a significant decision regarding the future of the man leading the Selecao. As Portugal prepares for another ambitious World Cup campaign, a major development involving Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Roberto Martinez has emerged behind the scenes. With the tournament already underway and expectations rising around one of the strongest squads in international soccer, fresh reports suggest a significant decision regarding the future of the man leading the Selecao. The timing of the reports has naturally generated attention. Portugal enters the competition among the favorites to challenge for the trophy, while Ronaldo embarks on what is his sixth World Cup appearance, hoping to finally add the one major honor that has eluded both him and his country. Portugal arrives at the 2026 World Cup carrying enormous expectations. Drawn into Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, the national team possesses the quality and depth required to make a deep run into the tournament. The squad combines experienced leaders with players at the peak of their careers. Alongside Ronaldo, figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Ruben Dias, and Nuno Mendes provide Portugal with strength across every area of the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Pedro Neto’s goal for Portugal vs Nigeria According to FIFA records, Portugal secured qualification impressively, finishing top of its qualifying group and booking a seventh consecutive World Cup appearance. A memorable 9-1 victory over Armenia highlighted the depth available to Martinez, especially considering Ronaldo was absent through suspension. Martinez built strong foundation When Martinez replaced Fernando Santos in January 2023, he inherited one of the most talented generations in Portuguese soccer history. His task was to modernize the team while maintaining the competitiveness that had delivered success in recent years. The Spaniard quickly made an impact. Portugal completed a perfect UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, winning all ten matches and showcasing an attacking style that many supporters had long wanted to see. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Nations League. Although the team was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, Martinez responded by guiding Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title in 2025. The victory over Spain in the final gave him his first major trophy with the national team and strengthened his belief in his project. The major decision revealed While Portugal remains focused on World Cup success, reports from multiple outlets suggest that Martinez has already made an important decision regarding his future. According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook and several international reports, Roberto Martinez has decided not to renew his contract with Portugal and is expected to leave after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, regardless of the team’s performance. The contract was originally signed to cover the entire cycle leading to the World Cup. Reports indicate that Martinez views the tournament as the natural conclusion of that chapter. “Roberto Martínez will leave the Portugal national team after the World Cup, regardless of how they perform. He has already decided not to renew his contract”, Crook said. If confirmed officially, the decision would bring an end to a tenure that began in early 2023 and was designed around delivering success at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. What it means for Ronaldo and Portugal The revelation adds another layer of intrigue to Portugal’s World Cup campaign. For Ronaldo, who remains the face of Portuguese soccer despite turning 41, the tournament already carries enormous significance. The prospect of competing under a coach who may be overseeing his final matches with the national
Roberto Martínez has officially announced Portugal’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the roster. Following the announcement, the head coach also provided key details regarding the management of minutes for the 40-year-old striker throughout the tournament. Roberto Martínez has managed to build a highly competitive Portugal squad, creating an ideal balance between youth and experience. While there had been major uncertainty surrounding his inclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately headlines the 26-man squad, officially securing his sixth participation in the World Cup. In light of this, the head coach also revealed key details regarding the management of playing time for Cristiano. “Managing is something very natural. In a World Cup, you do not follow a pattern that fits the club, the age, none of that. Everyone is focused and we have to manage the day-to-day well, that is all. We can talk about many dreams, but we only have three matches to start, this is our World Cup. And we have to manage these three in the best way possible,” Roberto Martinez said in the latest press conference. While being in excellent form at Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to remain a starter for Portugal, especially after shining during the UEFA qualifiers. However, the head coach has also demonstrated strong management of the veteran striker’s playing time, as is often substituted for Gonçalo Ramos. That rotation has become a key factor in preserving the 40-year-old’s physical condition and could once again be heavily utilized during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance in the competition, he could arrive especially motivated, particularly because he has never finished as the tournament’s top scorer in any previous edition. In addition, he now has a major opportunity to finally win the anticipated tournament, as Portugal are currently in outstanding form and recently lifted the UEFA Nations League. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo emerges as a key asset for Portugal, not a cornerstone Unlike the final stage of Fernando Santos’ tenure, Cristiano Ronaldo has remained a key figure under Roberto Martínez with Portugal. Recognizing the veteran striker’s age, the Portuguese head coach has decided to protect his physical condition by allowing him to focus almost exclusively on scoring duties, reducing his defensive responsibilities and pressing workload. Even so, the 40-year-old striker is no longer the true cornerstone of the national team. Heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal appear to have adopted a very different approach compared to previous editions, moving away from dependence on a single player and instead emphasizing collective play. Because of this, Vitinha, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes, and Nuno Mendes have emerged as the key figures of the squad. In this structure, Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the ideal complement to an already balanced and solid team.
Cristiano Ronaldo has established as one of the greatest players in history, winning numerous championships and reshaping the history of Real Madrid and Portugal. Despite this, former Portugal head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made a surprising comparison between him, Messi and Ronaldinho. Cristiano Ronaldo has become one of the greatest soccer players in history. He has not only broken goal-scoring records, but also transformed his national team into a winning one. Despite this, former Portugal head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made a surprising comparison between the veteran and Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, making it clear that he was never a natural star like them, while offering an important clarification. “He was never a crack like Messi or Ronaldinho—he made himself into one. He looked for alternatives. Players like Messi, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, and Maradona already know where the ball will be; Cristiano doesn’t. He was a player who chased situations to turn himself into a crack. And now, at 41, he’s heading to another World Cup thanks to his persistence, determination, and dedication. He has a wonderful heart,” Luiz Felipe Scolari said, via DSports. Far from criticizing Cristiano, Scolari was highlighting a clear virtue of his career: Hard work. Unlike many soccer legends, the Portuguese star did not start as an elite player but managed to become one through dedication and persistence, winning several individual awards and dominating an era alongside Lionel Messi. Moreover, he scored more goals after turning 30 than in his earlier years, establishing as one of Real Madrid’s greatest legends. Even though Lionel Messi seemed to dominate the recent era on his own with his natural talent, Cristiano Ronaldo managed to compete with him directly, winning five Ballon d’Or awards along with five UEFA Champions League titles. In addition, he is approaching 1,000 goals, further cementing a legendary era in soccer. Because of this, he has placed firmly in the GOAT conversation, alongside the Argentine, Diego Maradona, Pelé, and others. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo reshaped Portugal’s history, leading a winning era Throughout history, Portugal have had many soccer legends, such as Eusébio, Deco, Luís Figo, Paulo Futre and others, making them a very attractive national team. However, they did not manage to win any titles during their time, disappointing tournament after tournament. Unlike them, Cristiano Ronaldo did transform the history of the national team, turning them into a highly competitive side and even favorites for the 2026 World Cup. Under Fernando Santos and Roberto Martinez, Portugal won the first three titles in their history: the 2016 UEFA Euro, the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, and the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League. In all of them, Cristiano emerged as a key figure on the field, standing out not only for his goals but also for his leadership. Furthermore, they have a very promising team that is emerging as a contender to win the World Cup, which would further elevate the veteran forward’s legacy. Along with these titles, Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer with 143 goals. With this, he surpassed Pauleta and Eusébio, who finished with 47 goals and 42 goals, respectively. Because of this, the veteran forward can indeed be considered the most important figure in the history of the national team, having a completely historic impact.
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