New Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has announced his first squad since he took the reins of the Seleção, ahead of the first four Nations League matches against Wales, Norway (twice) and Denmark in the coming fortnight.
The 25-man squad is not too different to the group that Roberto Martínez took to the World Cup.
Four new names make the cut. Benfica goalkeeper Samuel Soares gets his first chance with the senior Seleção, while Nuno Tavares, João Palhinha and Fábio Silva are recalled.
Six players who went to USA and Canada are dropped: goalkeepers José Sá and Ricardo Velho, defenders Nélson Semedo and Matheus Nunes, midfielder Samu Costa and forward Gonçalo Guedes.
“The players are similar, but the former coach had ideas in relation to the playing style that are completely different to mine,” said Jesus.
The 72-year-old emphasised the fact that more than half of the squad – 13 players in total – had worked under him in the club game, which would make transmitting his ideas easier.
Cristiano Ronaldo had said after the defeat to Spain in Dallas that he had played his last World Cup for Portugal, but had not yet decided whether or not he would continue in the Seleção.
As expected, Jorge Jesus’s appointment has led to the captain extending his extraordinary international career, but JJ said his place in the team was not guaranteed.
“Everyone who has been called up can be starters. Cris is like the other players; if he performs he plays; if he doesn’t perform he doesn’t play. Of course, he has a different stature – he’s won 5 Ballon d’Ors. But that won’t affect my decision about whether or not he plays.”
The Seleção kick off the defence of their Nations League title against Wales in Lisbon on 24 September.
They then travel to Scandinavia to play Norway (Oslo, 27 September) and Denmark (Copenhagen, 1 October) before rounding off the international window back in Portugal against Norway, in Porto on 4 October.
Full Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting), Samuel Soares (Benfica)
Defenders: Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Tavares (Lazio), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), João Palhinha (Benfica), João Neves (PSG), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Vitinha (PSG), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Fábio Silva (Borussia Dortmund), Francisco Trincão (Al Ahli), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Gonçalo Ramos (AC Milan), João Félix (Al Nassr), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leão (Galatasaray)
