All eyes on Armenia v Portugal, media cast doubts over João Neves 👀 | OneFootball

A few hours before the kickoff of the match between Armenia and Portugal, counting towards the qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the national press raises doubts about the use of João Neves. According to reports, the former Benfica player is an option for Roberto Martínez, however, it is unknown in which position he will play.

The newspaper Record writes in this Saturday's edition that the national coach, who took the position after Fernando Santos' departure, might rely on the heavyweights of the national team to start off on the right foot. However, the same source indicates that João Neves - highlighted at PSG - is expected to be adapted to... right-back.

Thus, in the clash concerning Group F of the European qualification zone, this could very well be the lineup chosen by the Spanish coach, featuring some familiar faces from Benfica: Diogo Costa; João Neves, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, and Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes; Trincão, Pedro Neto, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Facing them, the national team has the Armenian team, a team that has never managed, to date, to defeat Portugal. In six matches played between the two sides, the balance is favorable to the Portuguese: four wins and two draws. Moreover, Yerevan, the city where tonight's match will take place, is a location of good memory for Cristiano Ronaldo.

This season, wearing the PSG jersey, João Neves – valued at 80 million euros – played two matches (157 minutes) and scored three goals. While at Benfica, the Portuguese international played 75 matches, scored four goals, made two assists, and won a National Championship and a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.

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