Carlos Forbs recently became the first new player to debut for Portugal under manager Roberto Martínez in nearly a year, signaling renewed squad experimentation for the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The 21-year-old forward, who plays for Club Brugge, entered the match during Portugal’s commanding 6-1 victory against Armenia. He came on as a second-half substitute, replacing veteran midfielder Bernardo Silva.
Notably, Forbs wore the number 7 jersey for his debut. This number is famously associated with Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not available for the qualifier due to a suspension.
Forbs’ introduction brought the total number of debutants under Martínez to 14 since the Spanish coach took charge of the national team in 2023. His appearance ended a nearly 12-month period without a new player making their first senior international appearance.
Prior to Forbs, the last three players to debut for Martínez were Tomás Araújo, Tiago Djaló, and Fábio Silva in November 2024. They featured in a Nations League match where Portugal had already secured qualification for the competition’s final phase.
Araújo started that particular game, while Djaló and Silva entered as substitutes in the second half.
Just days earlier, fullback Nuno Tavares made his debut during a 5-1 win against Poland in the same Nations League competition.
In October 2024, Samuel Costa earned his first cap in a 3-1 victory over Poland in Warsaw. He came on late in the game, replacing Bernardo Silva.
Renato Veiga also debuted as a starter in that same October 2024 match, playing the full 90 minutes. He was Martínez’s eighth debutant at the time.
Earlier in 2024, Francisco Conceição debuted in March during a friendly loss to Slovenia. Days before, Jota Silva made his first appearance in a 5-2 friendly win against Sweden, both matches serving as preparation for Euro 2024.
Other players introduced by Martínez during his tenure include goalkeeper José Sá, defenders Toti Gomes and João Mário, and midfielder João Neves.
The very first player to debut under Martínez was Gonçalo Inácio on March 23, 2023, at the start of Euro 2024 qualification against Liechtenstein.
While Forbs made his debut, two players called up by Martínez, Sporting’s Geovany Quenda and FC Porto’s Rodrigo Mora, have yet to make their senior international appearances.
Quenda, at 17 years old, had opportunities in September and November 2024 matches but remained unused. His debut would have made him Portugal’s youngest ever international.
The record for Portugal’s youngest international, set by Paulo Futre in 1983, remains unbroken.