Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes has reportedly been dropped by Roberto Martinez for Portugal’s game with Liechtenstein tonight.
The Selecao are playing their first Euro 2024 qualifier at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
It is Martinez’s first game in charge, after he replaced Fernando Santos.
He is looking to get off to a perfect start, and his side are heavy, heavy favourites tonight. Liechtenstein are ranked 198th in the world at the moment.
It is being reported by several outlets, including Mais Futebol, leading up to the game that Martinez has left Nunes out of his squad tonight. Defender Diogo Leite has also been dropped.
Of the 25-man squad initially selected, two players must miss out and it looks like the Wolves maestro has not made the cut tonight.
It will be a disappointment for Nunes.
It has not been a particularly good past few weeks for the 24-year-old.
At Wolves, Julen Lopetegui dropped him to the bench against Newcastle United. Then against Leeds United last weekend he was on the bench again but didn’t even get on.
He was given a red card after he was deemed to have pushed the linesman, following Leeds’ controversial fourth goal.
But that was overturned this week after Wolves successfully appealed.
A tough moment for Matheus Nunes as Roberto Martinez reportedly drops him from matchday Portugal squad
If Nunes has indeed missed out on tonight’s squad then that will be very frustrating for him.
He is probably really wanting some minutes for his country following a tough past couple of weeks.
It hasn’t happened for Nunes at Molineux yet, and he’s now at the point where his place in the starting XI is no longer guaranteed.
This would have been a good chance for him to perhaps send a message to Lopetegui.
But Martinez has apparently not included him so he won’t get that chance. Hopefully, he does get some minutes against Luxembourg on Sunday.