Fernando Santos has announced a 24-man squad for Portugal’s upcoming friendly internationals against Bulgaria and Belgium.
Benfica sensation Renato Sanches gets his first call-up in a squad that is a mix of exciting new talent and tried and tested veterans.
Fábio Coentrão and João Moutinho are both left out because of injury, but barring the absence of the Monaco duo, both of whom will certainly be in France if fit, this is likely to be very similar to Portugal’s final EURO 2016 squad.
“This is certainly not the definitive list (for Euro 2016),” said Fernando Santos. “There are some injuries and they may be some more up to then. It’s good that we have another 12 or 13 players who could perfectly be in this squad.”
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dynamo Zagreb), Rui Patrício (Sporting)
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Cédric (Southampton) José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Sporting), João Mário (Sporting), William Carvalho (Sporting), André Gomes (Valencia), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), Renato Sanches (Benfica)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit), Éder (Lille), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Rafa (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)
by Tom Kundert
