Chelsea youngster Geovany Quenda has finally made it back into Portugal’s senior squad. And it turns out there’s quite a story behind his almost two-year absence.
The 19-year-old is now getting another chance under Jorge Jesus, despite barely playing for Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge.
But his previous spell with the national team apparently ended… badly.
Quenda was reportedly frozen out by former Portugal manager Roberto Martínez after an incident in November 2024. There was no official suspension, no public disciplinary action and, until now, no real explanation for why he never returned.
All because of a match he didn’t even play in.
How Chelsea youngster missed out on a historic record
Portuguese newspaper A Bola have revealed what allegedly happened behind the scenes.
Back in November 2024, Quenda was enjoying his breakthrough season at Sporting under Ruben Amorim.
Martínez had already called him into the senior squad in September, although he didn’t make his debut. Two months later, another opportunity arrived.
Portugal had already secured first place in their Nations League group and had a final match against Croatia.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto all rested, the stage seemed set for Quenda.
He travelled from the U21 squad to join the senior team in Croatia, knowing he had a chance to make history.
At 17 years, six months and 19 days, he would have become Portugal’s youngest-ever international, beating Paulo Futre’s record by four days. Instead, he spent the evening watching from the sidelines.
Quenda warmed up, but Martínez never brought him on. The match finished 1-1, and the teenager’s opportunity disappeared.
Afterwards, the manager explained that the circumstances hadn’t allowed him to make further substitutions.
“We didn’t have the opportunity to use the fourth and fifth substitutions, but Geovany is a player who can help the national team a lot,” Martínez said at the time.
Quenda wasn’t exactly delighted.
An Instagram story that reportedly cost him almost two years
Later that evening, the youngster posted an Instagram story featuring a green heart, the word “soon” and a return arrow. It appeared to be a reference to going back to Sporting.
The interesting part was the music. Quenda chose a song called “No Lie to Me”. Not exactly the most diplomatic choice after being left on the bench.
According to A Bola, Martínez didn’t appreciate the player’s reaction. The Portuguese federation’s staff discussed the incident internally, and the situation apparently had consequences.
The newspaper says Quenda was effectively punished by being left out of subsequent senior squads.
There was never any formal suspension. In fact, Martínez publicly maintained that he admired the youngster and believed he had a bright future.
Yet Quenda never received another senior call-up under him. He continued representing Portugal’s U21s, collecting seven goals and four assists in 16 appearances.
The incident wasn’t a secret at the time, but the alleged disciplinary consequences are only now coming to light. And it was just the first time an Instagram post came back to haunt him.
A second chance for Quenda – despite Chelsea struggles
Almost two years later, things have changed quite dramatically. Quenda has since joined Chelsea, although his introduction to English football hasn’t been particularly straightforward.
Injuries interrupted his development, and he’s struggled to get regular minutes under Alonso. So far, he’s made just one start.
Yet Jorge Jesus has decided to bring him back into Portugal’s senior squad. And the manager even described the Chelsea youngster as “the future of the national team”.
That’s quite a turnaround for someone who, according to A Bola, spent almost two years paying for an Instagram post.
And there could be another twist this week. Portugal need just one point to secure top spot in their Nations League group. They face Denmark on Saturday before meeting Wales on Tuesday.
Should they get the job done against Denmark, Jesus could rotate his squad for the second match.
A Bola believe Quenda is very likely to make his senior debut during this international break, with the Wales game potentially offering the ideal opportunity.
