Nuno Tavares Returns to Portugal Squad After Lazio Revival
Nuno Tavares has forced his way back into the Portugal squad, riding the wave of a sharp resurgence at Lazio under Gennaro Gattuso.
A year ago, his future in Rome looked bleak. The former Arsenal full-back had endured a difficult spell under Maurizio Sarri and arrived this season seemingly behind new signing Alfonso Pedraza in the pecking order. Most expected him to drift out, not step up.
He chose the second option.
Gattuso Unlocks a Different Tavares
Tavares, now 26, used the tactical demands of Sarri’s tenure to sharpen his defensive game. That foundation has paid off. Gattuso came in, handed him back the starting role and, crucially, the freedom to surge forward for 90 minutes.
The result has been one of the most eye-catching starts to a season of his career.
His performance in the 2–2 draw with AC Milan underlined that shift. Tavares was arguably Lazio’s standout player, heavily involved in the moves that led to goals for Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin. He attacked with conviction, defended with far more discipline, and looked every bit a modern full-back in full flow.
Portugal’s new head coach Jorge Jesus took notice.
Return to the Selecao
Tavares has been recalled for the extended international break, his first involvement with the national team since 2025. He re-enters a squad where the left-back spot is firmly owned by Paris Saint-Germain star Nuno Mendes, widely regarded as one of the best in the world in that position.
That hierarchy won’t change overnight. Tavares is expected to operate as Mendes’ understudy. But the schedule offers opportunity: Portugal face four group-stage matches in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League, taking on Wales, Norway twice, and Denmark. Rotation will be inevitable. Minutes should come.
For a player with only three caps – all as a substitute – that matters. His last appearance came off the bench against Hungary in October 2025. Then, silence. Now, a second chance.
Ronaldo Still the Headline
Even with Tavares’ revival, one name inevitably dominates the squad list: Cristiano Ronaldo. The veteran forward, now at Al Nassr, remains part of Jorge Jesus’ plans and once again leads a forward line stacked with talent.
Portugal Squad for the International Break
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting), Samuel Soares (Benfica).
- Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Tomás Araújo (Benfica), Nuno Tavares (Lazio).
- Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid), João Palhinha (Benfica).
- Forwards: João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Al Ahli), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leão (Galatasaray), Gonçalo Ramos (AC Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Fábio Silva (Borussia Dortmund).
From the fringes at Lazio to a recall with the Selecao, Tavares has dragged his career back onto the main stage. The next question is simple: can he now turn this opening into a permanent place in Portugal’s plans?
