World Cup 2026: ‘I can’t influence it’ – Ndidi names two players Martinez should’ve named in Portugal squad

Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi has stated that his teammates at Besiktas, Jota Silva and Tiago Djaló should have been named in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Ndidi spoke in media engagements at the Lagoas Park Hotel on Tuesday in anticipation of Nigeria’s prestigious friendly match against World Cup-bound Portugal. 

Despite both Silva and Tiago Djaló having represented Portugal at the international level, manager Roberto Martínez has opted not to include them in his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

The Portuguese pair played pivotal roles for Besiktas last season, with the winger scoring five goals in 23 matches, while the centre-back contributed two goals in 22 appearances.

Ndidi expressed admiration for his Besiktas colleagues, Silva and Djaló, but emphasized that he lacks the authority to influence the selection choices made by Portugal’s coach, Martínez.

When asked about the possibility of recommending the Portuguese duo for a national team call-up, Ndidi responded, “Regrettably, our club did not secure any titles this year, and we were unable to perform as we had hoped. 

“I do not possess the ability to make suggestions, but these Portuguese players are exceptionally talented; they are diligent, aggressive, and put in significant effort during training.”

Djaló has not been part of the Portugal national team since he earned his first senior cap in a UEFA Nations League match against Croatia in November 2024.

On the other hand, Silva has made two appearances for the Seleção, with his most recent match occurring in a friendly against Slovenia in March 2024.