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Portugal’s national coach, Roberto Martinez, confirmed that star left-back Nuno Mendes will miss the final two World Cup qualifiers due to a sprained knee, calling him “probably the best in the world right now.”
Despite Mendes’s absence, Paris Saint-Germain teammate Joao Neves is expected to return from injury, and captain Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the team, looking to add to his five goals in the campaign.
Martinez praised Ronaldo as “an example for the group.”
Martinez also gave a first call-up to winger Carlos Forbs following his standout two-goal performance for Club Brugge against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Portugal, which sit atop Group F, need a victory in their upcoming match against Ireland on November 13 to secure their qualification for next year’s World Cup.
