Paulinho called up to Portugal squad after Rafael Leão and Rodrigo Mora drop out | OneFootball

Paulinho has enjoyed huge success at Toluca in the Liga MX (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Striker Paulinho has been called up by Portugal coach Roberto Martínez for the friendly matches against Mexico and USA next week, after Rafael Leão and Rodrigo Mora were forced to pull out of the squad due to injury.

At 33 years of age, Paulinho gets a recall to the Seleção five years after playing three games under Fernando Santos, which included scoring two goals on his debut against Andorra.

After playing a key role in two league title triumphs for Sporting, the Barcelos-born centre-forward moved to Toluca in Mexico, where he has enjoyed tremendous success, winning the league, becoming top scorer and voted the MVP in the Mexican championship.

With captain Cristiano Ronaldo also injured, many felt Paulinho was unlucky to miss out when Roberto Martínez announced the squad on Friday and the Spaniard was asked about his absence in the press conference.

The coach stated that he had opted for Gonçalo Guedes instead because Paulinho’s skillset was similar to that of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos - two players sure to be in Portugal’s World Cup squad. But with two attacking players unable to join the squad, Martínez has given Paulinho a chance to stake his claim to be included in the group chosen for the World Cup.

Paulinho will hook up with the squad in Cancún ahead of Portugal’s match against Mexico at the Aztec Stadium in Mexican capital.