Portugal’s national team coach, Roberto Martinez, has reportedly been the victim of a high-value burglary at his residence in the affluent Cascais neighborhood of Lisbon. Thieves made off with jewelry, watches, and other precious items estimated to be worth over $1 million.
According to reports from the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the incident occurred on September 20. Martinez and his family were not at home at the time of the break-in. The theft was subsequently discovered by the housekeeper, who immediately alerted authorities.
Portuguese authorities have since launched a full investigation into the sophisticated burglary. Reports from The Sun indicate that police are actively searching for the culprits, focusing on suspects known to target high-value properties. Investigators believe the perpetrators may be foreign nationals with a history of similar sophisticated burglaries.
The Cascais region, an exclusive area located near Lisbon, is unfortunately known for frequently being targeted by criminal organizations. Residences belonging to celebrities, athletes, and wealthy individuals are often victims of such high-profile thefts due to their perceived valuable contents.
Spanish coach Roberto Martinez took charge of the Portuguese national team in January 2023. Under his leadership, the team has achieved an impressive record of 23 wins, 5 draws, and four losses. In 2024, he successfully guided Portugal to the quarter-finals of the UEFA European Championship and currently sees the team leading their World Cup qualification group in Europe.
Prior to his role with Portugal, the 52-year-old manager led the Belgian national team from 2016 to 2022. During his tenure, Belgium achieved a remarkable winning percentage of 70% from 56 matches, with only 11 losses. Under his guidance, Belgium secured a bronze medal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, finishing third. However, the team exited the World Cup group stage in 2022.
At the club level, Martinez’s career highlights include leading Swansea City to win England’s League One in the 2007-08 season. He then famously guided Wigan Athletic to a historic FA Cup victory in 2012-13. Following this success, he managed Everton, achieving a strong standing in the English Premier League during the 2013-2014 season.
