Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez hit with major player injury

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is in a race to replace important defender Nuno Mendes, following the Paris Saint-Germain left-back, who suffered a left-knee sprain during their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in midweek.

Martinez now faces a major selection headache, with difficulty in finding a like-for-like to sit in for the PSG star in their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ireland and Armenia in November.

The PSG full-back is expected to be sidelined throughout the entire international break, with “no natural replacement” available, turning to Diogo Dalot and Joao Cancelo to fill the void.

Mendes, hailed by his manager as “the best in the world,” has been pivotal to Portugal’s defensive solidity, blending pace, stability, and the ability to initiate attacks from the left flank.

The 52-year-old manager sang praises of the 22-year-old full-back, while reaffirming his importance for both club and country.

“My assessment of Nuno Mendes is subjective; he’s like a son,” Martinez said.

“There’s no other left-back who can defend one-on-one, make overlapping runs, and play inside or outside with the ball.

“He’s a complete player, he can play centre-back.

“He’s a decisive player for his club and for me, right now, he’s the best in the world. Other coaches don’t have to agree with me.”

With Nuno Tavares also sidelined, the duo’s absence leaves Portugal without a natural left-back, forcing Martinez to turn to tactical adjustments and versatile defenders.

Martinez, however, emphasises the need to find balance with the absence of a natural left-back going into such crucial fixtures in their quest for positive results against Ireland and Armenia to secure top spot and automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

“We need to find solutions, to find balance on the wing, with Cancelo and Dalot,” Martinez explained.

“We need to build on the chemistry we already have, there’s no time for drastic experiments before two important games.”

Before the injury to Mendes, who featured in all six matches, he provided crucial defensive stability and attacking impetus.

His precise pass to assist Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2-2 draw against Hungary not only saved a point but also helped the forward set the record for most goals in World Cup qualifying history with 41 goals.