Jota misses out as Portugal name their World Cup squad

Sadly Celtic’s Portuguese superstar Jota will not be joining the International Brigade of teammates at this year’s winter World Cup in Qatar. After making the initial squad, the winger has now been cut from the final group along with a lot of others. It was a thrill to see our player in beside world famous names and talents but it would appear that he is just not ready yet for that next step.

 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The former Benfica man would have been chuffed to be in the ranks with his comrades and gaining the recognition his exploits at Celtic these past 18 months or so have deserved. His free kick in the Santiago Bernabèu against Real Madrid last week would have went another long way to proving to himself and others that he can cut it with the best in the business.

But it wasn’t to be this time around for João Pedro Neves Filipe Jota. At only 23, the player has bags of room for growth and shouldn’t be disheartened at all by this news. The fact he has been included in the original, provisional squad speaks volumes for how he has developed in such a short space of time, from playing with Benfica B to winning a Legaue Crown with Celtic and scoring past Thibault Courtois.

Jota of Celtic celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League group F match between RB Leipzig and Celtic FC at Red Bull Arena on October 05, 2022. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

I’m sure the opportunities will be there for years to come. And hopefully the sensational Jota is still scoring for the Bhoys when he does get capped by Portugal.

Paul Gillespie

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About Author

I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

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