As one of the most prolific hotbeds of talent, scouts from the biggest clubs around Europe are constantly watchful of emerging Portuguese prospects.

They were instantly attracted to the potential of Renato Sanches, when the young midfielder enjoyed a stellar debut 2015-16 campaign at Benfica, helping them to win the Primera Liga after a thrilling title race with city rivals Sporting. 

In Episode 51 of the Seleção Podcast, host Danny Pinto is joined by Matthew Marshall from PortuGOAL.net, as they discuss the Seleção’s 5-0 victory versus Luxembourg, which keeps Portugal in control of their destiny towards direct qualification for World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Inevitably, Cristiano Ronaldo’s failure to kick his habit of setting records galore is another topic of conversation, but João Palhinha taking over the midfield, Bruno Fernandes as a #10, and much more comes under the microscope. 

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  —Z— — Great podcast. Bruno fernandes as a number 10 might work against lower level teams but we’ve yet to see him flourish in that role for Portugal against top sides. We aren’t able to control the midfield. I agree 100 percent about Palhinha being key and his importance in the squad. Ronaldo is Ron......

Atletico Madrid’s João Félix has been speaking to Brazilian media outlet TNT Sports this week, discussing a range of topics including the Portugal star’s hopes for the future as he aims to put recent injury issues behind him.

Felix has remained in Madrid during the international break having missed out on a place in Fernando Santos’ recent Seleção squad. Having missed the start of the season through injury and then incurring a suspension for a red card, it has been a typically disrupted start to the campaign for the former Benfica man.

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  George — You CAN be one of the best, if you play for a team that appreciates you and caters to your needs/style of play. Atletico is NOT that club. You should be up top for Man City under Pep, not wasting away under Diego Simeone....
  Neville — We are waiting to see Joao Felix & Renato Sanchez play against N Ireland....
  Nishanth Dsouza — Generational Talent. I have no doubt that he will become the best player in the world in near future. My favourite player....

Portugal beat Luxembourg 5-0 at Estádio do Algarve in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ronaldo scored a hat-trick with goals to Bruno Fernandes and João Palhinha wrapping up a one-sided victory.

The win keeps the Seleção on track for automatic qualification for Qatar with two matches remaining.

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  George — It was a much better performance from Portugal this go round with some corrections from Fernando Santos in some areas, but others not so much. Bruno Fernandes finally looked good in a Portugal shirt... playing as a #10... wow. Who coulda seen that coming huh? Better late than never I suppose. Maybe ......
  Dhazer — I will ask again. Please tell me who would be our coach to replace Santos, that would bring out our identity, whatever that is??...
  Victor — Fun game to watch..ofcourse Luxy did not park the bus they gave us way too much space.We were like kids in a candy store!! The Irish will park the bus..just like last game and now in front of their home crowd they will never dare to do what Luxy did which was try to play their game. So expect a dif......

Portugal had few difficulties beating Qatar 3-0 in an international friendly at Estádio do Algarve. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 37th minute with second half goals to José Fonte and André Silva wrapping it up.

Fernando Santos handed senior Seleção debuts to Diogo Costa, Matheus Nunes and Rafael Leão, full-back Diogo Dalot producing a man of the match performance. PortuGOAL's Matthew Marshall reports from the Algarve. 

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  Will — Lately every national major team has transitioned to a back 3. I think with Portugal, there are more problems than what meets the eye. In terms of intensity, Portugal is amongst the worst teams in Europe. Either there is no team spirit at all, or the coach has created a very tense atmosphere with......
  F.C.JCHarvard — OK this game was a gimme. Now we have to see what they can do against a soccer powerhouse like Luxembourg ;) With Portugal nothing is a forgone conclusion....
  Dhazer — Whether we like it or not, Santos is going to stay come the World Cup next year, so can we just stop with the complaining, moaning and groaning! It's not healthy for you guys. In the meantime, could any of you guys tell me who should replace Santos then, so we could have an identity??......

Former Manchester United midfielder and recent academy director Nicky Butt has been speaking to the English media about his experiences dealing with José Mourinho at Old Trafford.

Butt, who played 387 matches for United having graduated from the club’s youth ranks, was installed as head of academy in early 2016 just a few months before Mourinho’s arrival. The pair worked together for over two years and Butt says Mourinho left a good impression with his approach to the young players.

Portugal showed Liechtenstein no mercy in the 2023 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifiers, dishing out a record breaking 11-0 thrashing at Estádio Do Vizela.

The game was over at half-time with the Esperanças establishing a 9-0 lead, the second half unable to match the ferociousness of the opening 45 minutes as substitutions stifled their rhythm.

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  SupremoGino — @Jerrold Hewson Cheer up man At least we'll still get to watch Ronaldo score a penalty and the Qatarian keeper deflect a goal into his own net. Formations and tactics are meant to be exploited but you can never exploit luck....
  Jerrold Hewson — WHOLLY smokes, I mean I know its Liechtenstein but the senior team couldn't hit 11 goals. Is it that these players are that much better or is it that there is decent coach that knows attacking football? I'm gonna say coach. You are welcome to debate me on this....

This week on the Long Ball Futebol Podcast, Barney and Albert round up Jornada 8 of the 21/22 Primeira Liga Season. Wins from Porto and Sporting ensure that the title race is back to being neck and neck after Benfica’s surprise 1-0 loss at home to a Portimonense side going from strength to strength this season (and showing Barcelona how it’s done in the process).

Boavista go toe to toe with Braga in an exciting 2-2 draw, and there’s discussion about everything from Marcus Edwards’ time at Vitoria, to Samuel Lino’s emergence as one of the league’s most exciting young players as we discuss all the talking points from another week of Primeira Liga action. 

More Articles ...

  1. Rafael Leão, Beto among the goals: Excitement as young Portuguese strikers shining in Serie A
  2. PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Murillo masterclass keeps Tondela on track
  3. Porto & Sporting close in on Benfica after shock Eagles defeat
  4. João Félix earns Simeone praise as Atletico defeat Barca
  5. “We have always believed in him” - Super-sub André Silva reignites Leipzig career with instant impact

      

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It was a spur of the moment thing. Ronaldo laughed, it was a joke. It showed the warmth and spirit of friendship we have in the squad.”

João Palhinha
(Portugal midfielder on his "Ronaldo" celebration after scoring for Portugal against Luxembourg) 
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