Wantaway Wolves star could make Portugal debut as Roberto Martinez aims subtle dig at Old Gold

Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Fabio Silva could make his Portugal debut on Monday night after Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto and Bernardo Silva withdrew from the national team’s squad.

Portugal’s 5-1 thrashing over Poland on Friday night secured top spot in League A Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League, giving several key players the opportunity to head home to their clubs. Monday’s clash with Croatia is merely for pride, so the likes of Ronaldo, Fernandes, Neto and Silva probably wouldn’t have taken part anyway.

Silva, still a Wolves player but currently on loan at Las Palmas in La Liga, has taken advantage of the situation by finally earning his first senior call-up. The 22-year-old, who cost the Old Gold a whopping £35 million to sign from Porto in 2020, has scored three goals in nine league appearances so far this season.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has been impressed by what he’s seen from Silva in 2024/25. “We followed Fabio for months. He has very good movements, the ability to open spaces and play with his back to goal,” said Martinez.

“Arriving at a new club gave him a greater impact in the area and his numbers have improved a lot. He is a different player,” Martinez continued, aiming a subtle dig at Wolves.

Silva was given a chance by Gary O’Neil at the start of last season as he was awarded the number nine shirt and made nine appearances in the Premier League. The attacker failed to impress, however, and subsequently headed out on loan to Glasgow Rangers.

O’Neil didn’t show the same belief at the beginning of this campaign as he sanctioned another loan away. Silva still has 18 months left to run on his Wolves contract.