Portugal’s preparations for the subsequent spherical of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers have been hit by a serious setback. With Cristiano Ronaldo nonetheless main the cost for his nation at 40, the Selecao entered the October window chasing perfection and one other report for his or her captain. However simply as momentum appeared unstoppable, an important midfield presence has withdrawn from the squad via damage, leaving Roberto Martinez with an sudden hole to fill forward of essential matches towards Eire and Hungary.
Portugal has been unstoppable to date in Group F, recording emphatic wins over Armenia (5-0) and Hungary (3-2) in September. These victories positioned them firmly on the prime of the desk, giving Roberto Martinez’s workforce a powerful platform to safe early qualification for the World Cup, which might be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Victory within the upcoming dwelling match towards Eire on October 11 and the fixture towards Hungary on October 14 may all however verify Portugal’s spot among the many 48 finalists. With Ronaldo nonetheless on the coronary heart of the aspect, the workforce continues to mix expertise with youthful exuberance.
Ronaldo himself is chasing one other report — simply one purpose away from turning into the all-time prime scorer in World Cup qualifying historical past, doubtlessly surpassing Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz (39 targets). Already the most capped participant in world soccer (223 appearances) and the prime worldwide scorer with 141 targets, the Al-Nassr ahead stays an ever-present determine in Portugal’s golden technology.
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The thriller midfielder sidelined
Nonetheless, the optimism surrounding the squad has been dampened by the sudden withdrawal of one in every of Portugal’s brightest younger midfielders, a participant who has quickly turn out to be central to Martinez’s tactical setup. The Portuguese Soccer Federation (FPF) confirmed that Joao Neves of Paris Saint-Germain has been dominated out as a consequence of a left thigh damage sustained throughout a Champions League conflict towards Atalanta.
In an official assertion, the FPF defined: “The FPF Well being and Efficiency Directorate, along with the PSG medical division, thought of that the Portuguese worldwide midfielder just isn’t in a bodily situation to take part within the nationwide workforce’s matches.”
Joao Neves of Portugal reacts in the course of the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between Germany and Portugal.
Neves, solely 21 years previous, had been included within the preliminary squad regardless of his membership’s considerations. PSG’s medical workforce confirmed partial restoration however suggested towards worldwide responsibility, prompting Portugal to launch the teenager again to Paris for remedy.
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Who will change him?
To fill the void, Martinez has known as up Nuno Tavares of Lazio. The complete-back turns into one other defensive choice as Portugal additionally offers with the continued absence of Joao Cancelo, who stays sidelined after an damage suffered whereas taking part in for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Martinez’s reshuffled squad consists of returning figures reminiscent of Rafael Leao, Matheus Nunes, and Nélson Semedo, who missed the September camp.
