Cristiano Ronaldo ‘finest participant of all time’ for Selecao, Martinez suggests after worldwide pleasant with 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has praised Paulinho after the striker ended a five-year exile from worldwide soccer within the Selecao’s 0-0 attract Mexico on Saturday within the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

With Portugal file scorer Ronaldo and fellow forwards Rafael Leao and Rodrigo Mora out by means of damage, Paulinho was referred to as up final week and changed Goncalo Ramos after 64 minutes in opposition to the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts.

“It was excellent to work with him and he confirmed that he’s in the very best second of his profession,” Martinez stated of the 33-year-old (by way of Abola), who was the highest scorer and received the very best ahead award in Mexico final season.

“He’s a really clever participant who creates house together with his ultimate actions. It’s excellent for us to have a participant like him.”

A former Portuguese champion with Sporting, Paulinho received the Mexican title with Toluca final season however had not been referred to as up since making three appearances beneath Fernando Santos, together with two objectives in opposition to Andorra on his debut.

Paulinho: Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential World Cup understudy

Enjoying at 2,200 metres above sea degree on the Estadio Azteca, which has a capability of greater than 83,000 and has reopened after renovations for the World Cup, Portugal went closest to scoring throughout an uneventful contest when Goncalo Ramos shot in opposition to a put up early on.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes – changing Ronaldo as captain – set Ramos up for the chance, and Mexico had one in all their very own when substitute Armando Gonzalez despatched a late header extensive in a recreation that left Martinez and counterpart Javier Aguirre glad.

“What stunned me wasn’t what he can carry to the nationwide crew however how shortly he understood the group,” Martinez stated of Paulinho.

“He built-in very effectively into the dressing room. He’s a participant who would slot in effectively with any nationwide crew on this planet.

“The issue is that right here, he has in entrance of him maybe the very best participant of all time for Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo – and a participant like Goncalo Ramos, who received the Champions League [with Paris Saint-Germain last season].”

The sport was additionally notable for Pedro Neto grabbing one in all Paulinho’s Toluca teammates, Jesus Gallardo, across the head when the Chelsea winger and the Mexico defender confronted one another within the 53rd minute. Each have been booked.

World Cup 2026: Why Bruno Fernandes is ‘completely different’

Paulinho stated some gamers had “no thought how tough it’s” to play at important altitude. “I’m used to it, however for my teammates it was essential to know the distinction,” he added.

“There have been no objectives however it was recreation by which I discovered numerous issues. Bruno – even when he makes a mistake a couple of times – by no means performs badly; he’s a type of completely different gamers. The ball flies otherwise with him.

“Mexico didn’t shock me – I do know them, they’ve numerous high quality and excellent gamers. I’m very glad that they’re doing effectively and that they’re heading in the right direction. If Portugal don’t win, might Mexico win.”

Portugal crew vs Mexico

Portugal beginning XI: Rui Silva; Matheus Nunes, Antonio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Ruben Neves, Samu Costa, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos

Portugal substitutes: Ricardo Velho, Jose Sa, Goncalo Inacio, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Tomas Araujo, Mateus Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Francisco Trincao, Paulinho, Pedro Neto, Pedro Goncalves, Ricardo Horta, Goncalo Guedes

Mexico crew vs Portugal

Mexico beginning XI: Raul Rangel, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Roberto Alvarado, Alvaro Fidalgo, Erik Lira, Obed Vargas, Brian Gutierrez, Raul Jimenez

Mexico substitutes: Jorge Sanchez, German Berterame, Carlos Rodriguez, Alexis Vega, Guillermo Martinez, Carlos Acevedo, Guillermo Ochoa, Erick Sanchez, Julian Quinones, Orbelin Pineda, Denzell Garcia, Everardo Lopez, Richard Ledezma, Armando Gonzalez, Jesus Angulo

Portugal, Mexico 2026 World Cup schedules

Right here’s how Portugal and Mexico’s preliminary fixtures have a look at the World Cup. Portugal are in Group Ok, Mexico in Group A.

Fixtures with an asterisk begin the subsequent day.