Cláudio Braga says his form at Hearts has changed the way he thinks about his chances with Portugal. The forward admits he now feels closer than ever to a first call-up.
The 26-year-old spoke to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo about his ambitions. His comments arrive during a season in which he scored nine goals and became one of the stand-out players in Scotland.
Braga made it clear that the national team remains the biggest target in his career. “That is the biggest goal of my life in football,” he said when asked if he would smile as widely as he did on the day he joined Hearts.
He also stressed how his rise at Hearts has boosted his belief. “Now I believe even more in a call-up. We have an incredible national team, but I dream about it and believe that with work everything is possible,” he said.
The striker highlighted the recent case of Carlos Forbs as an example that opportunities appear for players who perform well. Braga explained that Portugal’s depth makes every selection competitive, yet the national team stage still feels within reach.
Hearts form makes dreams feel possible
He also admitted that upcoming squad announcements will bring a new kind of nervousness. “In the last ones, not yet, because I felt I’d only just started being talked about. But for the next ones, that feeling will be there,” he said.
Braga never represented Portugal at youth level, though he believes his progress with Hearts puts him on Roberto Martínez’s radar. His family remains deeply involved in football, and that shared background continues to push him as he aims for a place in the 2026 World Cup squad.
For now, he wants to extend his outstanding run in Scotland while keeping the national team dream alive.
