Palhinha booed by Sporting fans? Jorge Jesus isn't worried | OneFootball

João Palhinha was one of the new names in Jorge Jesus’s first squad call-up as Portugal manager and could return to Alvalade as early as September 24, against Wales. Now a Benfica player, the former Sporting midfielder may receive a less warm welcome from some Sporting fans.

Asked about the possibility of Palhinha being booed, similar to what happened with João Mário in 2023, Jorge Jesus played down the issue. “I’m calling up players for the Portugal national team; I’m not concerned whether they play for Benfica, Sporting or any other club. What I can say is that they are there to represent Portugal.”

The manager also made it clear that the players’ club affiliations were not taken into account in his selections. “The player’s current form and quality” were among the criteria highlighted by Jorge Jesus, who added: “The club they belong to is not important.”

Palhinha is therefore preparing to return to the José Alvalade Stadium in a different context, this time after having transferred to Benfica.

The squad list now announced relates to Portugal’s first four matches in Nations League Group A4, where the team will be looking to retain the title. The national team begins at Alvalade on September 24 against Wales. Three days later they travel to Norway, followed by a trip to Denmark (01/10) and, finally, they close the FIFA window at the Dragão, once again against Norway.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.