Portugal coach Fernando Santos chose a list of 26 players to compete in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, led by veteran Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
And at the age of 37, Ronaldo (winner of the Golden Ball 5 times) is still the most prominent star of “Seleção” Europe.
But he is also the only thirtieth-year-old in the Portuguese offensive line that was characterized by a quiet renewal of generations, with the summoning of Milan winger Rafael Liao (23 years old) and Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos (21 years old).
Despite his fluctuating status between participating as a mainstay or as a substitute this season with Manchester United, Ronaldo remains essential in the eyes of Santos to lead the attack of the 2016 European Cup champions.
After long doubts about his readiness due to a knee sprain, 39-year-old defender Pepe was called up to the squad, who recently resumed training with his club Porto after being absent from the stadiums since early October.
On the other hand, the coach did not call up Liverpool striker Diogo Jota for his calf injury, and he was absent from the veteran squad, Joao Moutinho (146 international matches), the second most participating player with the national team after Ronaldo.
It seems that this absence is the price of the bad start of the Wolverhampton team this season, with its penultimate position in the English Premier League standings.
Despite his few minutes of playing with Atletico Madrid, striker Joao Felix took his place in the Santos list, unlike Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Renato Sanchez.
The following is the Portugal squad for the World Cup in Qatar:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto, Portugal), Rui Patricio (Roma, Italy), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton, England).
Defense: Diogo Dalo (Manchester United, England), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City, England), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Pepe (Porto, Portugal), Robin Dias (Manchester City, England), Antonio Silva, Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain). French), Raphael Guerrero (Borussia Dortmund, Germany).
Midfield: Robin Neves (Wolverhampton, England), Joao Ballenha (Fulham, England), William Carvalho (Real Betis, Spain), Bruno Fernandez (Manchester United, England), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Otavio (Porto, Portugal), Joao Mario (Benfica). Portuguese), Mateus Nunich (Wolverhampton, England).
Attack: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, England), Rafael Leao (Milan, Italy), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Ricardo Horta (Braga, Portugal), Andre Silva (Leipzig, Germany), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, England), and Goncalo Ramos ( Portuguese Benfica).
Portugal national team matches in the 2022 World Cup
The Portugal national team was drawn in Group H, and it will open its matches against Ghana on November 24 at Stade 974, before colliding with Uruguay a few days later on November 28 at Lusail Stadium.
The "Brazil Europe" team will conclude its matches in the first round by playing against South Korea, on the second of next December, at the Education City Stadium.