There has been an angry backlash in Portugal over the treatment of a player Manchester United want to sign.
Ruben Amorim’s move to Manchester United has led to lots of speculation about how many Sporting players will eventually follow him to Old Trafford.
From Goncalo Inacio to Viktor Gyokeres to Ousmane Diomande to Francisco Trincao, the most exciting player to be linked may just be Geovany Quenda.
Geovany Quenda, 17, is one of the 27 Sporting academy players handed debuts by Amorim, and he has been strongly linked with Manchester United, with A Bola claiming interest even when Erik ten Hag was still manager.
Geovany Quenda was lined up for international debut, and still waits
Geovany Quenda had become an important part of Ruben Amorim’s team this season, starting in the Champions League win over Manchester City.
Quenda was then called into the Portugal national team squad, and with UEFA Nations League top spot in their group assured, it was expected he would be granted his international debut for their final group game against Croatia.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez had talked Quenda up before the game, commenting via Mais Futebol: “He fits in on the right wing, as we worked on in September. That is the position Quenda will work on tomorrow [in training]. It is a position he knows well.
“More than a versatile player, he brings balance and technical ability, not just the position. He is a player with magic and who can make the difference in the final third.”
Martinez offered no guarantees Quenda would play, adding: “He is a player with a spectacular future and his experience of being in the national team, whether he plays on the pitch or not, is important.”
Quenda did not play. Despite Portugal resting Cristiano Ronaldo and being without suspended Bruno Fernandes, and making four substitutions during the game, Martinez did not bring the teenager on for what would have been a record-breaking debut.
Paulo Futre record chance
Geovany Quenda had an opportunity to break a 41-year old record set by Portugal legend Paulo Futre back in 1983, when he became Portugal’s youngest ever player.
This opportunity went begging, with Quenda snubbed by Martinez during the 1-1 draw. It will not come for him again.
Quenda will be older than Futre was by time the next international break comes around.
And who knows, he could even have signed for Manchester United, amid claims the club could try to strike an agreement with Sporting in January, which sees him move in the summer.
Martinez’s Quenda decision blasted
The decision to snub Geovany Quenda and deny him to chance to set a new record was met with some anger in Portugal.
Former Sporting president Pedro Santana Lopes reacted angrily on X, blasting Roberto Martinez for his decision.
He wrote: “It’s a shame the way coach Roberto Martinez acted towards the player Quenda. Sad and disrespectful. Even if it was just a minute.”
Sporting fans were also left angered, but Martinez offered a staunch defence of his decision, insisting that he is taking the long-term view.
The former Belgium boss commented, via Paraeles: “The game didn’t allow it. Nuno Mendes twisted his ankle and we didn’t have the opportunity to use the fourth and fifth substitutions.
“Quenda isn’t here to break records, he’s here to be an important player. He’s a very different player and he’s prepared to help, but the most important thing is that he can play 150 games, not when it’s his debut.”
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