João Palhinha has been in excellent form playing for Benfica, with high-level performances that have placed him back at the centre of national football news. The defensive midfielder has been a key piece in the red-and-white team at the Estádio da Luz.
However, Vítor Pinto recalled in a column in Record newspaper that Palhinha was not called up for the last World Cup. The sports commentator stated that there is no sporting rationale for the midfielder to have been excluded by Roberto Martínez from the preparation games in North America and the world championship competition.
Vítor Pinto also recalled a revelation made by journalist José Manuel Freitas on the NOW channel, according to which there was an intense argument between the player and the former national team coach at the Estádio do Dragão, which reportedly motivated the athlete's exclusion from the Portuguese national team.
Palhinha's prominence at Benfica now positions him as a strong candidate to be selected by Jorge Jesus for the National Team.
