First Portugal call-up for Monza’s Varela alongside Mora, Ramos and Tavares

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 18: Gustavo Varela of Monza celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AC Monza and US Sassuolo at U-Power Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

In-form Monza striker Gustavo Varela has earned his first call-up to the Portugal national team for November’s Nations League fixtures, along with Roma teenager Rodrigo Mora, Milan striker Goncalo Ramos and Lazio full-back Nuno Tavares. 

Portugal will be in Nations League action against Denmark on Saturday, November 14 and away against Wales on Tuesday, November 17 and will have four Serie A stars to call upon. 

There has been a first call-up for 21-year-old Monza striker Varela, who leads the Serie A goalscoring charts with nine goals from his first nine league appearances of the 2026-27 campaign. With cup fixtures added in, he is now up to 11 goals from his first 10 competitive Monza appearances. 

19-year-old Rodrigo Mora has also taken well to life in Italy and has provided three goals from his first eight appearances in Serie A since joining from Porto during the summer transfer window. He could be set to earn his first caps for his nation this break, although this is not his first international call-up. 

Goncalo Ramos became Milan’s all-time most expensive signing when he joined from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer and has kept his place in the Portugal national team squad for November. He has scored three goals and provided one assist from his first 13 appearances with the Rossoneri. 

There is also room for Nuno Tavares, who has started the last nine Serie A matches in a row. His Lazio side sit at the top of the Serie A table with 28 points from a possible 30 after the first 10 league matches of the season. 

Official: Portugal squad for November Nations League fixtures 

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting CP), Samuel Soares (Benfica). 

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Alberto Costa (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Tomas Araujo (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Antonio Silva (Bournemouth), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Tavares (Lazio). 

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Benfica), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham), Vitinha (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid). 

Forwards: Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Trincao (Al-Ahli), Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge), Rafael Leao (Galatasaray), Geovany Quenda (Chelsea), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Rodrigo Mora (Roma), Goncalo Ramos (Milan), Fabio Silva (Borussia Dortmund), Gustavo Varela (Monza).