Paulinho's Last Chance: Liga MX Star Returns to Portugal Squad for World Cup Audition

Portugal's national team has expanded its squad for upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States, calling up striker Paulinho after injuries sidelined two key forwards. The move gives the 33-year-old, now thriving in Mexico's Liga MX, a critical chance to force his way into the World Cup 2026 roster—a tournament that will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Why This Matters

• Final audition window: These friendlies represent the last opportunity for fringe players to impress coach Roberto Martínez before the World Cup squad is finalized.

• Paulinho's resurgence: Since joining Toluca in late 2023, the forward has been the top scorer on three occasions—whether these are monthly, tournament-specific, or seasonal honors, the consistency is remarkable—reigniting a career that seemed destined for the margins.

• Portugal's embarrassment of riches: With Cristiano Ronaldo absent due to injury and Rafael Leão and Rodrigo Mora ruled out, Martínez faces the challenge of selecting from a deep pool of attacking talent.

From Sporting Substitute to Mexican Icon

Paulinho's journey to relevance began when Renato Paiva, the Portuguese coach who guided Toluca from December 2023 to December 2024, orchestrated the striker's transfer from Sporting CP. At the time, Paulinho was playing backup to Viktor Gyökeres, despite having scored 21 goals while largely operating as a substitute.

Paiva, a 56-year-old tactician with stints at Benfica's youth academies and South American clubs including Bahia, Botafogo, and Ecuador's Independiente del Valle, told Portuguese news agency Lusa that he had "200% certainty" Paulinho would excel in Mexico's top flight.

"I warned them they were signing a great professional and a multifaceted player," Paiva said. "He scores with his left foot, right foot, headers, heels, and from outside the box. In Portugal, he was Gyökeres' backup but still had 21 goals."

The gamble paid off spectacularly. Since joining Toluca in late 2023, Paulinho has been the leading scorer on three occasions, becoming what Paiva describes as "a god in Mexico"—a figure of near-mythical status among Toluca supporters and the broader Mexican football community.

What This Means for Portugal's World Cup Plans

Paulinho earned just three caps for Portugal, all in 2020, before fading from the national team picture. His recall comes only after injuries created vacancies, but the timing could hardly be better for the striker. With Ronaldo managing physical issues and Martínez juggling a roster of 40 to 50 viable candidates, these friendlies serve as a de facto trial for the World Cup.

"Players will feel this is their last chance to prove themselves," Paiva explained. "Any injury or dip in form from a regular could create an opening. I have no doubt they see this call-up as a final opportunity."

Paiva, who now advises from a distance, said he would include Paulinho in his World Cup squad without hesitation. "If it were me, I'd always take Paulinho to the national team," he said. "I look at what he does, his maturity and intelligence, and the position he occupies."

The Martínez Dilemma

Roberto Martínez, Portugal's head coach, faces an enviable yet complex selection problem. The nation's attacking depth spans multiple leagues and playing styles, from Premier League stars to breakout performers in Mexico and Portugal's Primeira Liga.

Paiva acknowledged the difficulty: "I understand a call-up for Paulinho, but I also understand not calling him up, because my colleague has plenty of options. When he chooses, people will be left out unfairly based on what they've done this season. That's the luxury of having such a wide selection in quality and quantity."

Besides Paulinho, Ricardo Horta of Sporting Braga is another player in a similar position—performing consistently at club level but uncertain of his World Cup prospects. Both are expected to treat Saturday's match against Mexico and Tuesday's game against the United States as auditions under pressure.

Paiva's Track Record and Conviction

Renato Paiva's career has taken him through youth development at Benfica, championship success in Ecuador with Independiente del Valle, and multiple roles in Brazilian football. He admits to misjudging some players over the years, but Paulinho was never one of them.

"I've been wrong in some processes during my career, but I had no doubts about Paulinho," Paiva said. "I told them he would have more space than in the Portuguese league, and with his intelligence and movement, he'd become the leading scorer in the championship multiple times. It wasn't just once—it was three times."

Paiva noted that Paulinho's scoring repertoire—capable of finishing with either foot, headers, audacious flicks, and long-range strikes—made him ideally suited to Liga MX's open, attacking style. The forward's consistency across clubs with varying ambitions further reinforced Paiva's confidence.

The Bigger Picture for Portuguese Players Abroad

Paulinho's resurgence highlights a broader trend: Portuguese players thriving in unconventional markets. While most of the national team plies its trade in Europe's top five leagues, Mexico's Liga MX offers competitive football, lucrative contracts, and high visibility—particularly ahead of a World Cup co-hosted by Mexico.

For players on the World Cup bubble, a strong showing in these friendlies could shift the calculus. Martínez will finalize his squad in the coming weeks, and any injury, suspension, or loss of form among the established group could open the door for late additions.

What Happens Next

Portugal faces Mexico on Saturday before traveling to play the United States on Tuesday. Both matches are friendlies, but the stakes are anything but friendly for players like Paulinho and Horta. Martínez is expected to rotate heavily, giving fringe players extended minutes to make their case.

For Paulinho, the opportunity represents a full-circle moment: called up as an injury replacement, much like his early days at Sporting, but now armed with the confidence and statistics of a player who has dominated one of the Americas' most competitive leagues.

Whether that's enough to earn a seat on the plane to North America remains uncertain. But as Paiva puts it, Paulinho has already proven he belongs in the conversation—and in Mexico, at least, his legacy is secure.