Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has publicly justified selecting João Félix in his starting lineup, citing the forward’s ability to retain possession and circulate the ball in the attacking third. The decision, made ahead of upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures, has ripple effects beyond the pitch, particularly for holders of the Portugal National Team Fan Token (POR) on the Chiliz blockchain.
Martínez also emphasized that his squad needs to stay composed and simply “be themselves” without fixating on the opposition.
Félix’s monster season fuels the narrative
During the 2025-26 season, Félix racked up 29 goals and 19 assists across 56 appearances for Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club he joined on a permanent basis in July 2025. Those 48 goal contributions were instrumental in helping Al Nassr clinch the Saudi Pro League title, putting any lingering doubts about his quality to rest.
Félix’s skill set, particularly his close control and vision in tight spaces, fits what Portugal wants to do in possession-heavy matches. With fixtures against Uzbekistan on the horizon as part of World Cup preparation, Martínez is building his attack around players in peak form.
