Portugal coach Roberto Martinez resigns after World Cup exit on the day he said the number 6 would bring luck
Roberto Martinez stepped down as Portugal coach on 6 July, hours after a 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup round of 16. The defeat came on the very date he had predicted the number 6 would deliver success, with Spain's number 6 scoring the decisive goal.
Numerology and the number 6
Weeks before the 2026 World Cup, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez told RTP 1 that he believed the number 6 would bring his team luck. He pointed to past tournaments: the 2016 European Championship title, the 1966 World Cup semi-final (Portugal's best finish) and the 2006 semi-final run.
I believe a lot in numerology. I think the number 6 can bring something very positive. In 2016 Portugal won the Euros, 1966 was the best ever result, 2006 also semi-finals. It's the moment to achieve what Portugal deserves and much more.
Early coincidences
In Portugal's opening match, João Neves (who wears number 15, digits summing to 6) scored the team's first goal of the tournament at exactly six minutes. In the next group game against Uzbekistan, Cristiano Ronaldo also found the net at the six-minute mark. The pattern seemed to reinforce Martinez's belief.
- Martinez tells RTP 1 that the number 6 will bring Portugal luck at the World Cup.
- João Neves (number 15, digits sum to 6) scores Portugal's first goal at 6 minutes.
- Cristiano Ronaldo scores at 6 minutes against Uzbekistan.
- Spain's Mikel Merino (number 6) scores the winning goal in stoppage time, eliminating Portugal.
- Roberto Martinez resigns as Portugal coach.
The elimination
On Monday, 6 July, Portugal faced Spain in the round of 16. The match remained goalless until stoppage time, when Mikel Merino, Spain's number 6, scored the winner. It was Spain's sixth shot of the game. Portugal were eliminated 1-0.
Resignation
Martinez announced his resignation the same day. The coach who had publicly embraced numerology saw the number 6 turn from a promised charm into the symbol of his team's exit.
