Nuno Tavares’ Lazio Revival Secures Portugal Recall
Nuno Tavares is back where he always believed he belonged – in the Portugal squad – after dragging his career out of a difficult spell and into the spotlight in Rome.
From Sarri Struggles to Gattuso Trust
Last season under Maurizio Sarri left the former Arsenal full-back on the fringes and under scrutiny. His future at Lazio looked bleak. With Alfonso Pedraza arriving in the summer, Tavares was widely tipped either to move on or settle for a role as understudy.
He refused both options.
Leaning on the lessons from his time with Sarri, the 26-year-old sharpened the defensive side of his game. Then Gennaro Gattuso walked in, took one look, and backed him. The new Lazio coach restored him as a starter and unleashed him down the left, giving him license to surge forward all game.
The response has been emphatic.
Standout Display Against Milan
His form hit a new peak in the 2-2 draw with AC Milan. Tavares was arguably Lazio’s standout performer, heavily involved in both goals scored by Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin. He attacked with conviction, defended with discipline, and looked every inch a modern full-back in control of his flank.
Those performances in the Italian capital have not gone unnoticed back home.
New Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has rewarded Tavares’ resurgence with a place in the squad for the extended international break, marking a significant step in a career that had stalled at international level.
Backing Up Nuno Mendes – But Ready to Play
Tavares returns to a national team where the left-back hierarchy is clear. Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain is widely regarded as one of the best in the world in his position and remains first choice.
Tavares, though, is not coming back just to make up the numbers.
Portugal face a demanding schedule in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League, with four group-stage matches against Wales, Norway (twice), and Denmark. The calendar almost guarantees rotation. At some point, the Lazio defender is expected to get his chance on the pitch.
A Sparse but Significant International Record
For all his club experience, Tavares’ international record remains light. The Lisbon-born defender has just three caps, all as a substitute. His last appearance came against Hungary in October 2025. He has not been called up since.
That changes now.
Yet even with Tavares’ return, the biggest headline around Jorge Jesus’ list is the continued presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains part of the forward line and the conversation every time a Portugal squad drops.
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).
For Tavares, this is more than a recall. It is proof that the work done in Rome under Gattuso has real weight. Now the question is simple: can he turn a second chance into a permanent place in Portugal’s future?
