Martínez Speaks on Nunes and Félix Fitness Before Nigeria Friendly

Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has offered an update on the fitness status of Manchester City defender Matheus Nunes and forward João Félix ahead of next week’s international friendly against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles are set to face Portugal in the second match of their international friendly double-header as both teams continue preparations for upcoming major tournaments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria will first take on Poland in Warsaw before travelling to face the European giants. The Polish encounter ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw after the Super Eagles conceded a late equaliser.

Portugal, meanwhile, are also using their friendly fixtures as part of their build-up, with a tune-up match against Chile scheduled before the clash with Nigeria.

Concerns had emerged after both Nunes and Félix missed training sessions earlier in the week, raising doubts about their availability.

Martínez confirmed that Nunes will not feature in Portugal’s game against Chile due to a lack of full fitness, but suggested there is hope he could recover in time to face Nigeria.

“In football, nothing is certain. We always prepare for the unexpected. Matheus Nunes is not yet fit to train, so he will miss the Chile match. It’s not the time to take risks. We hope he will be available against Nigeria,” Martínez said.

On João Félix, the coach gave a more positive update, stating that the forward is expected to train and could be fit to play in the upcoming fixture.

The Portuguese squad still boasts major names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias, Vitinha, and Rafael Leão, who are expected to pose a strong challenge for the Super Eagles.

The friendlies form part of Nigeria’s preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin later in the year.