Paulinho Returns to Portugal After Five-Year Exile

Paulinho Returns to Portugal: The Striker Making His International Comeback at 33

On March 28, 2026, Paulinho stepped onto the pitch at the iconic Estadio Azteca and wrote a new chapter in his international career. After a five-year absence from the Portuguese national team, the 33-year-old striker came on as a substitute in Portugal's 0-0 friendly draw against Mexico — a 2026 FIFA World Cup warm-up that turned heads across the football world. With coach Roberto Martinez publicly praising him as a potential World Cup option, Paulinho's name is trending for all the right reasons.

His return is more than a feel-good story. It signals a shift in Portugal's attacking depth conversation and raises compelling questions about who lines up behind Cristiano Ronaldo when the World Cup begins on home soil in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Match: Portugal vs Mexico at the Estadio Azteca

Portugal faced Mexico in a high-profile friendly at the renovated Estadio Azteca — the legendary stadium that has undergone significant upgrades ahead of hosting World Cup 2026 matches. The game ended 0-0, but the talking points ran deep. Bruno Fernandes captained the side in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who sat out along with Rafael Leao and Rodrigo Mora, all ruled out through injury.

Paulinho entered the match at the 64th minute, replacing Gonçalo Ramos. In his limited time on the pitch, he showed glimpses of the intelligent movement that has defined his career — most notably assisting a chance for Pedro Neto, though the attempt was missed. It wasn't a game-changing cameo in terms of statistics, but it was symbolically enormous.

For a full breakdown of the match, AS.com's match summary with stats, scores, and highlights offers comprehensive coverage of the evening's action.

Five Years in the Wilderness: Paulinho's International Exile

Paulinho's last international appearances before this call-up came under former Portugal coach Fernando Santos. In those three caps, he made an immediate impact — scoring twice against Andorra on his debut — but the call-ups dried up. For five years, despite consistent performances at club level, he remained on the outside of the national team picture.

His absence wasn't due to a falling-out or controversy. It was simply a case of competition. Portugal's attacking depth is arguably the richest in Europe, with Cristiano Ronaldo still performing at an elite level, Gonçalo Ramos emerging as a world-class centre-forward, Rafael Leao providing devastating pace and creativity, and Rodrigo Mora touted as the next generational talent. Breaking into that group is one of football's hardest challenges.

But injuries change dynamics. When Ronaldo, Leao, and Mora all dropped out of the March squad, Martinez didn't hesitate to phone Paulinho. The gamble — if you can even call it that — was immediately rewarded.

Roberto Martinez's Verdict: A World Cup Option?

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez was effusive in his praise for Paulinho following the Mexico friendly. He described the striker as being in "the best moment of his career" and called him "a very intelligent player who creates space with his final movements." These aren't throwaway compliments from a manager managing expectations — they're considered assessments from a coach building a squad for a home World Cup.

Martinez also addressed the elephant in the room: Cristiano Ronaldo's place in the pecking order. He described Ronaldo as "perhaps the best player of all time for Portugal" — setting out clearly that the Selecção's all-time leading scorer remains the first-choice striker. Paulinho, Martinez noted, faces stiff competition from both Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos for a place in the starting eleven.

But depth matters at a World Cup. Injuries, suspensions, and fatigue across a tournament's five-to-seven-game arc mean that backup options are not secondary considerations — they are essential. Martinez appears to be signalling that Paulinho, at 33, brings the experience, intelligence, and clinical finishing to serve as a credible Plan B.

For more on Martinez's quotes and his assessment of both Paulinho and Ronaldo, 101 Great Goals' coverage of the Mexico vs Portugal friendly provides detailed post-match analysis.

Paulinho's Club Form: Why Toluca Changed Everything

The catalyst for Paulinho's international return is impossible to separate from his extraordinary season in Mexico. Playing for Toluca, Paulinho became the standout striker in Liga MX — finishing as the league's top scorer and winning the Best Forward award. More significantly, he helped guide Toluca to the Mexican title, delivering when it mattered most.

For a player who spent much of his career in Portugal and Spain, the move to Mexico could have been seen as a step sideways. Instead, Paulinho made it a stage for reinvention. At 33, an age when many forwards are entering decline, he found a new gear. His movement, positioning, and finishing were exceptional throughout the campaign.

It's worth noting that Paulinho arrived in Liga MX carrying the pedigree of a former Portuguese champion with Sporting — a club where he proved his quality in one of Europe's top leagues. That foundation, combined with the physical and tactical demands of Mexican football, appears to have sharpened rather than softened him.

For fans looking to follow Paulinho's journey and support the players they love, Portugal national football team jerseys are widely available, along with Toluca FC football shirts for those who want to celebrate his club success.

What Paulinho's Return Means for Portugal's World Cup Plans

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a uniquely pressured tournament for Portugal. As one of the most technically gifted squads in international football, the expectation is nothing less than a deep run — and potentially a first World Cup title. With Ronaldo likely making what could be his final World Cup appearance, the squad around him must be perfectly calibrated.

Paulinho's profile fits a specific need: he is not a like-for-like Ronaldo replacement, but a complementary option. His reading of the game, his ability to create space through intelligent movement, and his proven record as a clinical finisher give Martinez a different tactical weapon to deploy from the bench.

The scenario writes itself: late in a knockout game, Portugal need a goal. Ramos has been on since the 60th minute and is tiring. Paulinho, with fresh legs and a veteran's composure, comes on with 20 minutes to go. It's a scenario Portugal fans may well see play out in the summer.

Whether Paulinho makes the final World Cup squad remains to be seen. But this friendly appearance — his first cap in five years, on Mexican soil, in the very stadium where the World Cup will be played — has put his name firmly back in the conversation.

FAQ: Paulinho and Portugal's 2026 World Cup Squad

Who is Paulinho and why is he trending?

Paulinho is a 33-year-old Portuguese striker who returned to the national team after a five-year absence, coming on as a substitute in Portugal's 0-0 draw with Mexico on March 28, 2026. He is trending because Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praised him publicly as a potential World Cup option.

How long had Paulinho been away from the Portugal squad?

Paulinho had not been called up to the Portuguese national team for five years before this March 2026 squad. His previous three appearances came under former coach Fernando Santos, including a two-goal debut against Andorra.

Why was Paulinho called up now?

His call-up was partly triggered by injuries to Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao, and Rodrigo Mora, which opened space in the squad. However, his outstanding 2024-25 season with Toluca — where he won top scorer and best forward awards as well as the Mexican title — made him impossible to overlook.

Will Paulinho be in Portugal's World Cup squad?

Martinez has not confirmed a World Cup squad yet, but his post-match comments were encouraging. He described Paulinho as being "in the best moment of his career" and a potential backup to Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos — suggesting the door is open for a World Cup berth.

What did Paulinho do against Mexico?

Paulinho came on as a substitute for Gonçalo Ramos in the 64th minute of the 0-0 draw at the Estadio Azteca. He assisted a chance for Pedro Neto, which was ultimately missed. The match was a 2026 FIFA World Cup warm-up friendly.

Conclusion: A Story of Persistence and Reinvention

Paulinho's return to the Portugal squad is one of football's most compelling comeback narratives heading into the 2026 World Cup. At an age when many forwards are winding down, he relocated to Mexico, dominated Liga MX, and earned his way back into Roberto Martinez's plans through sheer performance. His 30-minute cameo at the Estadio Azteca was a reminder that international football careers can have second acts — if the quality is there.

With the World Cup months away, Paulinho has done everything in his power to make the case for inclusion. Now it's over to Martinez to decide whether experience, intelligence, and proven big-game scoring instincts earn the veteran striker a place on the plane. Given what we saw on March 28, 2026, it would be very hard to leave him behind.