Fernando Santos has unveiled the list of 26 Portuguese players who will travel to Qatar.
Portuguese coach Fernando Santos unveiled a list of 26 players for the 2022 World Cup on Thursday without surprise and led by the essential Cristiano Ronaldo.
At 37, the five-time Ballon d’Or will always be the star of the Seleçao. But also the only 30-year-old in the Portuguese attacking sector, marked by a discreet generational renewal with the summons of AC Milan winger, Rafael Leao (23), and Benfica center-forward, Gonçalo Ramos (21). year).
Despite a fluctuating status this season with Manchester United, between holder and substitute, “CR7” remains essential in the eyes of Fernando Santos to occupy the forefront of the attack of the 2016 European champions.
Long uncertain due to a sprained knee, defender Pepe is one of the chosen defenders while the veteran (39) has just resumed training with FC Porto after being sidelined since early October.
To rejuvenate the axis of his defense, Fernando Santos offered his very first summons to the revelation of Benfica, Antonio Silva (19 years old).
Injured in a calf, Liverpool striker Diogo Jota was logically not called up.
With 146 selections on the clock, the second highest total in the history of the Seleção after Ronaldo, João Moutinho was not selected for the big world meeting either. At 36, the tireless midfielder is certainly paying for Wolverhampton’s poor start to the season, currently penultimate in the Premier League.
Despite his lack of club playing time, striker João Félix is present in Fernando Santos’ list, unlike Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Renato Sanches, a substitute and often injured this season.
Poured into group H of the World Cup-2022, which will be played in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, Portugal will face Ghana, Uruguay and then South Korea. Until then, the Seleçao will play a preparation match against Nigeria.
SEE ALSO – World Cup: “With 25 players, I consider that we have enough security”, considers Didier Deschamps
The list of 26 Portuguese
Guardians (3): Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Patricio (AS Roma/ITA), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton/ENG)
Defenders (8): Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), João Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Pepe (FC Porto), Rúben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica ), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Raphaël Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/GER)
Backgrounds (8): Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton/ENG), João Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), William Carvalho (Betis Séville/ESP), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Otávio (FC Porto) , Joao Mario (SL Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton/ENG).
Forwards (7): Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Rafael Leão (AC Milan/ITA), Joao Félix (Atlético de Madrid/ESP), Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/ENG), André Silva (RB Leipzig/GER).
SEE ALSO – France team: Deschamps gives his list for the League of Nations