Martínez readies Armenia v Portugal, ex-Benfica man a surprise | OneFootball

After winning the second Nations League last June, Portugal returns to competition, marking the official start of the qualification for the 2026 World Cup. In Yerevan, to face Armenia, predictions are being made for Roberto Martínez's lineup, and there might be a surprise involving a former Benfica player.

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

Thus, in the match concerning Group F of the European qualification zone, this might very well be the eleven 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 Portuguese team has the Armenian national team, a team that has never managed to defeat Portugal to date. In six matches played between the two sides, the balance is favorable to the Portuguese: four wins and two draws. Furthermore, Yerevan, the city where tonight's match will take place, holds good memories 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 Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup.

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