Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has praised Paulinho after the striker ended a five-year exile from worldwide soccer within the Selecao’s 0-0 attract Mexico on Saturday within the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
With Portugal document scorer Ronaldo and fellow forwards Rafael Leao and Rodrigo Mora out by damage, Paulinho was referred to as up final week and changed Goncalo Ramos after 64 minutes towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts.
“It was excellent to work with him and he confirmed that he’s in the perfect second of his profession,” Martinez mentioned of the 33-year-old (through Abola), who was the highest scorer and gained the perfect ahead award in Mexico final season.
“He’s a really clever participant who creates area together with his ultimate actions. It’s excellent for us to have a participant like him.”
A former Portuguese champion with Sporting, Paulinho gained the Mexican title with Toluca final season however had not been referred to as up since making three appearances below Fernando Santos, together with two objectives towards Andorra on his debut.
Paulinho: Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential World Cup understudy
Enjoying at 2,200 metres above sea degree on the Estadio Azteca, which has a capability of greater than 83,000 and has reopened after renovations for the World Cup, Portugal went closest to scoring throughout an uneventful contest when Goncalo Ramos shot towards a submit early on.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes – changing Ronaldo as captain – set Ramos up for the chance, and Mexico had certainly one of their very own when substitute Armando Gonzalez despatched a late header extensive in a recreation that left Martinez and counterpart Javier Aguirre happy.
“What shocked me wasn’t what he can convey to the nationwide staff however how rapidly he understood the group,” Martinez mentioned of Paulinho.
“He built-in very properly into the dressing room. He’s a participant who would slot in properly with any nationwide staff on this planet.
“The issue is that right here, he has in entrance of him maybe the perfect participant of all time for Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo – and a participant like Goncalo Ramos, who gained the Champions League [with Paris Saint-Germain last season].”
The sport was additionally notable for Pedro Neto grabbing certainly one of Paulinho’s Toluca teammates, Jesus Gallardo, across the head when the Chelsea winger and the Mexico defender confronted one another within the 53rd minute. Each had been booked.
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Paulinho mentioned some gamers had “no concept how tough it’s” to play at vital altitude. “I’m used to it, however for my teammates it was vital to know the distinction,” he added.
“There have been no objectives nevertheless it was a superb recreation through which I discovered numerous issues. Bruno – even when he makes a mistake a few times – by no means performs badly; he’s a type of totally different gamers. The ball flies in a different way with him.
“Mexico didn’t shock me – I do know them, they’ve numerous high quality and excellent gamers. I’m very completely happy that they’re doing properly and that they’re heading in the right direction. If Portugal don’t win, might Mexico win.”
Portugal staff vs Mexico
Portugal beginning XI: Rui Silva; Matheus Nunes, Antonio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Ruben Neves, Samu Costa, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos
Portugal substitutes: Ricardo Velho, Jose Sa, Goncalo Inacio, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Tomas Araujo, Mateus Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Francisco Trincao, Paulinho, Pedro Neto, Pedro Goncalves, Ricardo Horta, Goncalo Guedes
Mexico staff vs Portugal
Mexico beginning XI: Raul Rangel, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Roberto Alvarado, Alvaro Fidalgo, Erik Lira, Obed Vargas, Brian Gutierrez, Raul Jimenez
Mexico substitutes: Jorge Sanchez, German Berterame, Carlos Rodriguez, Alexis Vega, Guillermo Martinez, Carlos Acevedo, Guillermo Ochoa, Erick Sanchez, Julian Quinones, Orbelin Pineda, Denzell Garcia, Everardo Lopez, Richard Ledezma, Armando Gonzalez, Jesus Angulo
Portugal, Mexico 2026 World Cup schedules
Right here’s how Portugal and Mexico’s preliminary fixtures have a look at the World Cup. Portugal are in Group Okay, Mexico in Group A.
Fixtures with an asterisk begin the subsequent day.
| Date | Match | Venue | BST | ET | PT |
| June 11 | Mexico vs South Africa | Mexico Metropolis | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 |
| June 17 | Portugal vs play-off winner | Houston | 18:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 |
| June 19 | Mexico vs South Korea | Guadalajara | 02:00* | 21:00 | 18:00 |
| June 23 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Houston | 18:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 |
| June 25 | Czechia/Denmark vs Mexico | Mexico Metropolis | 02:00* | 21:00 | 18:00 |
| June 28 | Colombia vs Portugal | Miami | 00:30* | 19:30 | 16:30 |
