Marquinhos omitted from APOEL squad amid uncertainty

Brazilian winger Marquinhos was excluded from the APOEL squad for the first leg of the Cyprus Cup semifinal against Apollon Limassol on April 22, 2026. While the club officially cited personal reasons for his absence, reports have circulated regarding a potential disciplinary issue. APOEL spokesperson Nektarios Petevinos initially declined to comment on the matter before the match, while manager Pablo Garcia expressed frustration when asked about the situation. Speculation suggests a possible disagreement between the player and the coach following the recent match against Omonia. As of April 26, 2026, it was confirmed that Marquinhos would also miss the upcoming league derby against Paphos FC at the GSP Stadium. The club has not yet provided a definitive public explanation for the ongoing exclusion.