Overview
- Roberto Martínez confirmed he is evaluating three centre-forwards for Portugal’s World Cup squad: Paulinho, André Silva of Elche and Fábio Silva of Borussia Dortmund.
- Portugal has already clinched qualification for the 2026 tournament, and the coach said continuity and present form will decide the final call-up.
- Paulinho is a three-time Liga MX golden-boot winner with Toluca and remains the league’s leading scorer in the current Apertura campaign.
- Mexican outlets detail Paulinho’s production since July 2024 with a reported 61 matches, 44 goals and 10 assists for Toluca.
- Paulinho says he is ready for a national-team call and would relish a World Cup, while stressing his immediate focus on Toluca’s upcoming liguilla; separate reports note the striker role also involves established options such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Ramos, with one outlet mentioning a possible Ronaldo sanction under review.