Home / Football / Internationals News Mexico vs Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo best player of all time for Selecao, Martinez suggests Portugal visited Mexico in a 2026 World Cup warm-up friendly Written by Ben Miller Last Update: March 29, 2026 11:14:52 am BST 4 min read Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has praised Paulinho after the striker ended a five-year exile from international football in the Selecaos 0-0 draw in Mexico on Saturday in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. With Portugal record scorer Ronaldo and fellow forwards Rafael Leao and Rodrigo Mora out through injury, Paulinho was called up last week and replaced Goncalo Ramos after 64 minutes against the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts.It was very good to work with him and he showed that hes in the best moment of his career, Martinez said of the 33-year-old (via Abola), who was the top scorer and won the best forward award in Mexico last season.Hes a very intelligent player who creates space with his final movements. Its very good for us to have a player like him.A former Portuguese champion with Sporting, Paulinho won the Mexican title with Toluca last season but had not been called up since making three appearances under Fernando Santos, including two goals against Andorra on his debut.Table of Contents1 Paulinho: Cristiano Ronaldos potential World Cup understudy2 World Cup 2026: Why Bruno Fernandes is different3 Portugal team vs Mexico4 Mexico team vs Portugal5 Portugal, Mexico 2026 World Cup schedulesPaulinho: Cristiano Ronaldos potential World Cup understudyPlaying at 2,200 metres above sea level at the Estadio Azteca, which has a capacity of more than 83,000 and has reopened after renovations for the World Cup, Portugal went closest to scoring during an uneventful contest when Goncalo Ramos shot against a post early on.Manchester Uniteds Bruno Fernandes replacing Ronaldo as captain set Ramos up for the opportunity, and Mexico had one of their own when substitute Armando Gonzalez sent a late header wide in a game that left Martinez and counterpart Javier Aguirre satisfied.What surprised me wasnt what he can bring to the national team but how quickly he understood the group, Martinez said of Paulinho.He integrated very well into the dressing room. Hes a player who would fit in well with any national team in the world.The problem is that here, he has in front of him perhaps the best player of all time for Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo and a player like Goncalo Ramos, who won the Champions League [with Paris Saint-Germain last season].The game was also notable for Pedro Neto grabbing one of Paulinhos Toluca teammates, Jesus Gallardo, around the head when the Chelsea winger and the Mexico defender confronted each other in the 53rd minute. Both were booked.World Cup 2026: Why Bruno Fernandes is differentPaulinho said some players had no idea how difficult it is to play at significant altitude. Im used to it, but for my teammates it was important to understand the difference, he added.There were no goals but it was a good game in which I learned a lot of things. Bruno even if he makes a mistake once or twice never plays badly; hes one of those different players. The ball flies differently with him.Mexico didnt surprise me I know them, they have a lot of quality and very good players. Im very happy that theyre doing well and that theyre on the right track. If Portugal dont win, may Mexico win.Portugal team vs MexicoPortugal starting XI: Rui Silva; Matheus Nunes, Antonio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Ruben Neves, Samu Costa, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix, Goncalo RamosPortugal substitutes: Ricardo Velho, Jose Sa, Goncalo Inacio, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Tomas Araujo, Mateus Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Francisco Trincao, Paulinho, Pedro Neto, Pedro Goncalves, Ricardo Horta, Goncalo GuedesMexico team vs PortugalMexico starting XI: Raul Rangel, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Roberto Alvarado, Alvaro Fidalgo, Erik Lira, Obed Vargas, Brian Gutierrez, Raul JimenezMexico substitutes: Jorge Sanchez, German Berterame, Carlos Rodriguez, Alexis Vega, Guillermo Martinez, Carlos Acevedo, Guillermo Ochoa, Erick Sanchez, Julian Quinones, Orbelin Pineda, Denzell Garcia, Everardo Lopez, Richard Ledezma, Armando Gonzalez, Jesus AnguloPortugal, Mexico 2026 World Cup schedulesHeres how Portugal and Mexicos initial fixtures look at the World Cup. Portugal are in Group K, Mexico in Group A.Fixtures with an asterisk start the next day.DateMatchVenueBSTETPTJune 11Mexico vs South AfricaMexico City20:0015:0012:00June 17Portugal vs play-off winnerHouston18:0013:0010:00June 19Mexico vs South KoreaGuadalajara02:00*21:0018:00June 23Portugal vs UzbekistanHouston18:0013:0010:00June 25Czechia/Denmark vs MexicoMexico City02:00*21:0018:00June 28Colombia vs PortugalMiami00:30*19:3016:30 Topics: 2026 FIFA World Cup Bruno Fernandes Cristiano Ronaldo FIFA World Cup Portugal National Football Team Roberto Martinez World Cup World Cup 2026 Follow us: Ben Miller Ben has more than 10 years' experience in sports journalism, covering two EURO tournaments, European club competitions, the Premier League, EFL and WSL and a variety of other major sporting events. Read more from Ben Miller
