No Cristiano Ronaldo, No Ruben Dias: Roberto Martínez Drops Bombshell Portugal Squad

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has left some big names from his 27-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Mexico and the United States. Martinez has not called up Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo and Man City defender Ruben Dias, as he assesses his options ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting in June.

The eyebrow-raising absence of one of the greatest football players, Cristiano Ronaldo, has left some fans wondering what has transpired behind the scenes. The former Everton manager might be resting two of the elder statesmen of the Portugal national team ahead of an important summer, and looking at potential players who can make the World Cup squad.

Ronaldo has been in sparkling form for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr with 21 goals and two assists in 22 appearances this term. On the other hand, Dias has featured for the Cityzens in 25 games while helping them keep 11 clean sheets and scoring two goals this season.

Roberto Martinez Names 27-Man Squad For Upcoming Friendlies

Roberto Martinez has called up the likes of Renato Veiga, Tomas Araujo, Ricardo Horta, and Ricardo Mora to represent Portugal against the USA and Mexico. The former Belgium head coach has given these players a fresh opportunity to claim a stake for a place in the final 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

The Spaniard also recalled some players like Pedro Goncalves, Goncalo Guedes, and Francisco Trincao as he assesses if they can be part of his plans in what could be Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance at winning the FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese icon is also only 35 goals away from reaching a major career milestone of scoring 1,000 career goals for club and country.

Portugal's 27-Man Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), and Rui Silva (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), António Silva (SL Benfica), and Tomás Araújo (SL Benfica);

Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samú Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), and Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto);

Forwards: Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting CP), João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), and Gonçalo Ramos (PSG).