Ex-Benfica star out, Nuno Tavares steps in for national team | OneFootball

Nuno Tavares has been called up to fill the void left by João Neves in the national team. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, trained at the Clube da Luz, had been called up by Roberto Martínez for the team's double matchday, but was released due to some physical problems he was experiencing - Diogo Ferreira was also released from the U-19 team's duties.

João Neves' call-up was somewhat surprising, considering that the midfielder has been dealing with some physical problems that have kept him out of PSG's recent games. The midfielder is struggling with a left thigh tendon injury that has prevented him from contributing on the field.

Therefore, the FPF's Health and Performance Directorate, in conjunction with PSG's medical department, decided that João Neves "is not physically fit to participate in the national team's games", as can be read in a note published on the Federation's official channels.

Nuno Tavares, a right-back who plays for Italy's Lazio, but who, like João Neves, was trained at Benfica, at the Seixal Campus.

The national team, remember, has a double matchday in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup, during the upcoming FIFA international break. Portugal will face Ireland on October 11, and Hungary three days later. Both games will be played at the Alvalade stadium, and are scheduled to start at 19:45.

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