Scolari announces Euro 2008 squad: Maniche out, brother Jorge in

Brazilian goes for mixture of youth and experience

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has disclosed the squad he will take with him to the European Championships to be held in Austria & Switzerland in less than a month’s time. The colourful Brazilian once again provided some surprises with his selections and his omissions.

Making their tournament debut are the likes of Rui Patricio, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Jorge Ribeiro, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Nani and Hugo Almeida. But the tactician has also mixed the exuberance of youth with experience, with Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira, Petit, Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga all making up the list of the elite 23 despite indifferent seasons.

The most notable absentees were Marco Caneira and Maniche. The two were members of the 2006 World Cup squad that finished fourth in Germany.

It was a mixed day for the Ribeiro family. Jorge Ribeiro made the cut, calling it “the happiest day in my career, but brother Maniche was dropped after two fabulous tournaments at Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.

“I have total confidence in my choices and the capacities of these athletes,” said Scolari. “The expectation level is the same as it was in Euro 2004 which is to have a good team that is competitive and who know how to represent the nation with dignity. They must respect their adversaries, but still be confident as we have great quality.”


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Much as been made of Portugal’s lack of leadership since the retirement of Luis Figo, and Scolari said he would be looking for a group of players to share the burden.

“In the first place, we plan on changing the situation surrounding the captaincy a little. We will select a group of five captains and delegate responsibility along with the other players. We are trying to do what is best, as I have always done,” added the coach, who used a similar system in guiding Brazil to glory at the 2002 World Cup.

Scolari was inevitably asked about exactly what role he has in mind for Portugal’s and possibly the world’s best player at this point in time – Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I cannot guarantee that Cristiano will play for the national team the same way he plays at Manchester. He does not have the same functions with the national team as he has with his club. Everyone must understand that the Cristiano at Manchester plays with different players than those on the national team.

“He is in great form at the moment and it is possible that he continues like this because he is an exemplary player. He is dedicated and always wants more.”

Scolari also staunchly defended his selection of three players who have endured a difficult time of late, Petit, Ricardo and Postiga. “Fifteen days ago I spoke with Petit. He is working hard on his recovery from injury with his club. In the next two weeks in Viseu he will be doing specific training to recover physically and will arrive at the Euros in great condition.

“I don’t know who said Ricardo did not have a good season with Betis. Just because he did not play in seven or eight matches? He had a problem with his coach and did not play for a few matches, but he returned and Ricardo has had a great season. He is a player I have every confidence in.

“Postiga is a player I have worked with since 2003. He is an athlete with different characteristics than the other strikers. If he has an opportunity at the Euros, he can respond positively as he has always done with the national team.”

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Ricardo (Real Betis), Quim (Benfica), Rui Patricio (Sporting)

Defenders: Bosingwa (Chelsea), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Miguel (Valencia), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Pepe (Real Madrid), Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Fernando Meira (Stuttgart), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)

Midfielders: Miguel Veloso (Sporting), Petit (Benfica), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Deco (Barcelona), Joao Moutinho (Sporting)

Wingers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Nani (Manchester United), Quaresma (FC Porto), Simao (Atletico Madrid)

Strikers: Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Helder Postiga (Panathinaikos), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen)