Nuno Mendes will miss Portugal’s final two World Cup qualifiers, coach Roberto Martinez said on Friday, but his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Joao Neves is expected to return.
«There is no player who can replace Nuno Mendes. He is probably the best in the world at the moment,» Spaniard Martinez told a news conference.
Fullback Mendes is struggling with a sprained left knee and will be out «for the coming weeks», PSG said on Wednesday.
Martinez brought on Carlos Forbs for the first time after the Club Brugge winger tormented Barcelona in the Champions League, scoring twice and setting up another goal in the 3-3 draw in midweek.
Neves is back after recovering from injury, while captain Cristiano Ronaldo will look to extend his team-leading tally of five goals in the qualifying campaign.
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Ronaldo remains an example for the group with his more than 200 caps, according to Martinez.
Portugal plays in Ireland on November 13 and then hosts Armenia in Porto on November 16.
A win in Dublin would secure qualification for the Portuguese, who top Group F, for next year’s World Cup in North America.
Portuguese selection:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves/ENG), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce/TUR), Joao Cancelo (Al Hilal/KSA), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City/ENG), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal/ESP)
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Tottenham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA), Joao Neves (PSG/FRA), Vitinha (PSG/FRA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG)
Forwards: Pedro Goncalves (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Felix (Al Nassr/KSA), Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus/ITA), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Pedro Neto (Chelsea/ENG), Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge/BEL), Goncalo Ramos (PSG/FRA), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/KSA)
Published on November 7, 2025
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