Portugal coach Fernando Santos has made wholesale changes in his first squad announcement since the disappointing World Cup campaign.
Tondela goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos, Montpellier defender Pedro Mendes, midfielders Gedson Fernandes (Benfica) and Sérgio Oliveira (FC Porto), and Monaco forward Rony Lopes are the new faces as the Seleção starts a new cycle. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo is left out of the squad while there are also noteworthy recalls for Rúben Neves, Renato Sanches, Bruma and Pizzi.
Portugal play a friendly against the beaten World Cup finalists Croatia in the Algarve on 6 September, followed by the Nations League opener against Italy in Lisbon on 10 September.
Two years after Portugal’s greatest football triumph at Euro 2016, the country added another European title, this time at U19 level, beating Italy 4-3 in the final in Seinäjoki, Finland on Sunday.
Was Portugal’s performance at World Cup 2018 underwhelming, in line with expectations, unlucky, or as the kids today like to say, just “meh”? The post-tournament reaction (or lack of it) would seem to indicate the last option.
Portugal’s World Cup adventure came to a premature end last night after a narrow 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last 16. The exit is an obvious disappointment for Seleção fans everywhere, but just as frustrating was the team’s failure to fulfil their potential to perform with what looked a strong group of players coming into the tournament.
Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to an end in Sochi tonight as they were beaten by a brilliant brace from Uruguayan centre-forward Edinson Cavani.