Fernando Santos today announced the squad for Portugal’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Sporting’s 21-year-old winger Gelson Martins has been rewarded for his electric start to the season with a debut call-up.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo is back after missing Portugal’s first qualifier, the defeat against Switzerland, as he had not yet recovered from the injury sustained in the Euro 2016 final.
Braga goalkeeper Marafona also makes the cut, João Cancelo and André Silva retain their places after impressing in the friendly against Gibraltar, and there is a recall for Dynamo Kiev left-back Antunes.
Portugal play Andorra in Aveiro on 7 October before travelling to the Faroe Islands three days later.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Marafona (Braga)
Defenders: Cédric (Southampton), João Cancelo (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid), José Fonte (Southampton), Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Antunes (Dynamo Kiev)
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), João Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Bayern), Adrien Silva (Sporting), André Gomes (Barcelona), João Mário (Inter)
Forwards: Nani (Valencia), Quaresma (Besiktas), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting), André Silva (FC Porto), Éder (Lille)
by Tom Kundert
