On 30 September 2010, Machado was called up for the first time to the senior side by newly appointed coach Paulo Bento. He did not make his debut in either of the two UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers that were scheduled, but later spoke of his smooth integration into the squad and his ambition to eventually earn a regular place in the national team. On 17 November he finally made his debut, coming on as a substitute for Nani in the dying minutes of a 4–0 friendly win over Spain, in Lisbon.