"There is no friction" – Roberto Martinez plays down claims that Portugal attacker is unhappy with lack of game time at Euro 2024
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has refuted claims that Joao Felix is unhappy with his lack of first-team action at the UEFA Euro 2024.
Felix, who spent the 2023-24 season on a season-long loan at Barcelona, is yet to feature in a single match at the Euro 2024. He remained on the bench as Portugal registered back-to-back Group F victories.
Ahead of Portugal's final Euro 2024 group-stage contest against Georgia on June 26, Martinez was queried whether Felix's non-inclusion has created any friction in the locker room. He replied (h/t O Jogo):
"There is no friction. The [national team] selection is the most important moment in a player's career, everyone wants to play and is aware that they are very important. If as a nation we want to win, everyone has to help, on the pitch, outside, in training, where the level is incredible. Joao Felix wants to play and is ready. I evaluate everything... the attitude, the work, the commitment."
So far, Martinez has opted to utilize Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao, and Bernardo Silva as a part of his offensive troika in his 3-4-3 system. Apart from Felix, Goncalo Ramos is also yet to feature at the Euro 2024.
Felix, 24, relished a decent season at Barcelona in the 2023-24 term after a horror loan stint at Chelsea. He netted 10 goals and laid out seven assists in 44 matches, including just 24 starts, for the Catalan outfit.
Roberto Martinez opines on Portugal's final UEFA Euro 2024 contest against Georgia
Roberto Martinez has claimed that his team will respect Georgia, who are currently ranked 74th in the world, in their clash. He commented:
"[We have] respect for the game, we are prepared to win. The integrity of the tournament is essential. It is an important game, the result will tell who will qualify. Georgia is having an interesting tournament, they were close to beating Czechia and very competitive against Turkey."
Asked if Diogo Costa will be benched on Wednesday, he responded:
"I don't like the word revolution, all the players in the team have important roles and tomorrow's [starting lineup] will be full of important players. I don't like rotations in goal, goalkeepers are a team within a team, two games is a lot. We need Diogo to create relationships with different defensive lines. I believe that [Jose] Sa and [Rui] Patricio are ready, but I don't need to rotate in goal."
Costa, who is Porto's first-choice shot-stopper, has featured in 24 total matches for Portugal so far, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process.
Meanwhile, Portugal are atop Group F with six points from two games.