Roberto Martinez is the latest coach to name his 26-man World Cup squad. Wait, make that 27.
The Portugal manager announced his squad for the tournament in the Americas, but noticeably named one player too many.
World Cup rules allow 26 players, but Martinez is taking one extra in the form of fourth goalkeeper Ricardo Velho.
Journalists were left a bit confused when Martinez read out 27 names instead of the allowed 26, but he quickly explained Velho’s inclusion.
The Genclerbirligi shot-stopper is coming just for training, and won’t be allowed to make any official appearances.
“I spoke with Ricardo Velho, and he knows he’s the fourth goalkeeper,” Martinez explained.
“The rules are that we can only replace the goalkeeper if there’s an injury during the tournament.
“For us, the work needs to be high-intensity in every training session. There’s a lot of finishing involved, and we need another goalkeeper.
“Ricardo knows he can’t sit on the bench, but in two minutes he said he was ready to help in any way necessary, and that’s why we’re trying to use four goalkeepers during a very different training period.
“I’ve been to two World Cups, and this is the first time there’s been a six-day difference between the first and second games.”
Portugal’s World Cup 2026 squad:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho ( Gençlerbirliği)
Defenders: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), João Neves (PSG), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samú Costa (Mallorca)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), João Félix (Al Nassr), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincão (Sporting Lisbon).
Martinez also went on to pay a touching tribute to the late Diogo Jota.
“He is our strength, our joy,” he said. “I said that in life we all have very difficult moments.
“Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but the day after was a responsibility for all of us to fight for Diogo’s dream and for the example he always was in our National Team.
“Diogo Jota’s spirit, strength, and example are the +1 and will always be the +1.”
He also revealed that he did hold talks with Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, who has chosen France over Portugal.
“Yes, there was contact. I’m happy because we stayed ahead of the news,” Martinez commented.
“Before the March training camp, we tried to talk. It’s important to follow the players who could wear the Portuguese jersey, and it’s another matter if the player wants to.
“At that moment, Kroupi wanted to play for France, and we respected that.”
Martinez also responded to some critique that he chose players based on their past with the national team rather than their performance during the season.
“It’s a good reflection, but this happens in every World Cup and with every national team,” he responded.
“Reaching the national team is a new energy and a complete disconnection from what happened during the season.
“What a player does at their club helps them reach the national team, but those who have been in this space for many years have no connection to what happened a few months ago.
“The important thing is to recover, to finish the seasons. Overall, we have a very good average age of 27.3 years. The players have won 25 titles between them… In general terms, there is a good balance.
“But now it’s necessary to finish the season well, disconnect, recover and start with the dream of playing for the national team, which is always a special moment in everyone’s career.”
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