Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Portugal made a formal approach to Eli Junior Kroupi, the Bournemouth forward, in an attempt to convince him to switch international allegiance ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 19-year-old ultimately remained committed to France, closing the door on what would have been a significant recruitment coup for the Portuguese national team.
Speaking to Portuguese media outlet A Bola while announcing his 27-man provisional squad, Martinez revealed the federation's ambitious pursuit of the teenage talent. Kroupi was eligible to represent multiple nations through his family heritage—Ivory Coast via his father, and Portugal through his mother and grandmother—but his extensive experience with France's youth development system proved decisive. He has scored 15 goals across various French age groups, establishing himself as a clear prospect within Les Bleus' pipeline.
Martinez Confirms Direct Contact
The Portugal boss acknowledged his staff reached out to Kroupi's representatives ahead of the March international break. "Yes, there was interest, we stayed ahead of the news," Martinez explained. "Before the March training camp we had contact—it is important to follow players who can represent the Portugal national team and those who want to represent. Junior wanted to play for France and we respected it." The decision ultimately reflected the player's personal preference, a factor Martinez described as decisive in closing the matter.
Kroupi's development at Bournemouth has been nothing short of exceptional. Since his €15 million transfer, the forward has registered 12 goals in 31 Premier League appearances this season, plus two additional strikes in domestic cup competitions. Sporting director Tiago Pinto publicly stated the club would not entertain offers below €100 million, underlining his commercial and sporting value. His trajectory has attracted interest from Europe's elite clubs, positioning him among the continent's most promising young attacking talents.
With the recruitment window closed, Martinez's squad will now concentrate fully on World Cup preparations. Portugal begin their campaign against DR Congo on June 17, following friendly fixtures against Chile and Nigeria at home, before relocating their base to Palm Beach.
