Paris Saint-Germain stars Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves, and Gonçalo Ramos are expected to join the Portugal national team on Saturday, ahead of their friendly match against Nigeria on Wednesday. The quartet, who played key roles in PSG’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal on Saturday, had not yet reported for international duty as of Friday. Mendes, Vitinha, and Neves started the final, while Ramos came on in stoppage time. Their arrival marks a crucial boost for Portugal as they prepare for the high-profile encounter with the Super Eagles.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Friday’s training session was the last without the PSG players, and all four are set to join the squad for team training on Saturday. While they are unlikely to feature in Portugal’s friendly against Chile at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor on Saturday, their inclusion in the squad for the Nigeria match is expected, assuming no injuries arise. Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez is anticipated to have a full squad available for the clash, giving him flexibility in selection.
On the other side, Nigeria’s Super Eagles face challenges with key absences. Manager Eric Chelle will be without former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, both of whom withdrew due to the physical toll of their demanding club seasons. Ola Aina was also left out of the travelling party after missing the end of his club campaign due to injury. These absences could impact Nigeria’s depth and attacking options during the friendly.
Portugal received further encouragement with the return of Joao Félix, the former Chelsea forward, who participated in the first 15 minutes of Friday’s training session open to the media. His involvement signals a positive step in his recovery and readiness for international action. The friendly match, scheduled for Wednesday, will be a crucial test for both teams as they assess their form ahead of upcoming qualifiers and tournaments.
The meeting between Portugal and Nigeria promises to be a competitive encounter, despite its friendly status. With Portugal bringing in fresh legs from PSG and Nigeria navigating squad shortages, the game will offer insights into both teams’ current strengths and areas for improvement. Fans can expect a spirited display as both sides aim to build momentum for future challenges.
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