Martinez Says Paulinho Replaces Ronaldo or Ramos if Injured

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said that if Cristiano Ronaldo or Gonçalo Ramos suffer an injury, Paulinho will be the player called up for the 2026 World Cup. He also clarified why a forward from Toluca was omitted from the squad. The comments were made ahead of the final selection. Martinez identified Paulinho as the immediate replacement for either Ronaldo or Ramos. He emphasized the player's readiness to step into the national team if required. The decision to leave the Toluca forward out of the World Cup roster was explained by Martinez. He outlined the criteria used in forming the squad.

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Martinez's remarks form part of the ongoing selection process for Portugal's 2026 World Cup campaign. The manager indicated that all options are being considered. The forward currently playing for Toluca was not included in the provisional list. Martinez stated that the omission reflects the current evaluation of the squad.

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Should an injury occur to either of the two leading strikers, Paulinho is expected to join the team. The manager confirmed that the backup plan is already in place. The next steps involve finalising the roster ahead of the tournament. Martinez will monitor player fitness and may adjust the list if circumstances change.