Chelsea youngster's secret punishment revealed – Frozen out for almost two years

Quenda was frozen out of Portugal's senior squad for nearly two years after posting a cryptic Instagram story following being left on the bench in November 2024, allegedly angering then-manager Martínez.

Geovany Quenda has finally returned to Portugal's senior squad under new manager Jorge Jesus, but the 19-year-old Chelsea youngster's almost two-year absence from the national team had an unusual cause.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Quenda was effectively punished by former former Portugal manager Roberto Martínez after an incident in November 2024. Called up to face Croatia in a Nations League match, the teenager travelled from the U21 squad with a chance to become Portugal's youngest-ever international at 17 years, six months and 19 days.

However, Martínez never brought him on despite Portugal already securing first place in their group.

After the match, Quenda posted an Instagram story with a green heart, the word "soon", a return arrow, and a song titled "No Lie to Me" — apparently a reference to returning to Sporting. Martínez reportedly did not appreciate the reaction.

Although there was never a formal suspension and the manager publicly praised the youngster, Quenda never received another senior call-up under him, spending nearly two years representing only Portugal's U21s.

Now, under Jorge Jesus, Quenda has been recalled and is expected to make his senior debut during the current international break, with Jesus describing him as "the future of the national team".