Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal to the World Cup after Fernando Santos named the veteran to his 26-man squad on Thursday. The 37-year-old Manchester United striker has not been his club’s first choice this season, but will be part of his country’s bid to win the tournament for the first time in their history. Ronaldo, the all-time captain and top goalscorer in international men’s football with 117 goals, has many younger teammates on the offensive, including Atlético Madrid’s Joao Felix and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
“All the players I have called up come with the hunger to win and make Portugal world champions, including Ronaldo,” Santos said.
Ronaldo is heading to his fifth World Cup, having played for his country in every edition of the tournament since 2006.
The coach, who led Portugal to Euro 2016 victory in France, left Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Renato Sanches from the squad, replacing Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes.
“The most important are the players who go to the World Cup,” said Santos, who declined to talk about players who didn’t make it.
“The 26 (elect) think that justice has been done, and those who do not go, the opposite.”
Santos called in uncapped central defender Antonio Silva of Benfica, 19, as well as 39-year-old Pepe.
The Porto defender has not played since October 4 due to a knee injury, but will be fit for the tournament in Qatar, which starts on November 20.
“I asked my medical department if there were any unsuitable players, the answer was no,” Santos said when asked about Pepe.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota misses due to a calf injury.
Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho, 36, who has played 146 times for his country, more than any other player except Ronaldo, was not included, as was his team-mate Goncalo Guedes.
Portugal opens its World Cup campaign in Group H against Ghana on November 24, before meeting Uruguay on November 28 and South Korea on December 2.
Santos was critical of the timing of the tournament, the first ever World Cup in the winter, but was pleased with the lack of travel during the tournament, with all stadiums relatively close together.
“It’s not good for clubs, it’s not good for anyone,” said Santos.
“The exception is it’s good for travel. I’ve competed in several World Cups and traveling between matches was difficult.
“There is an advantage in this regard. No stadium is more than 25 minutes away. We don’t have to walk around with everything. It won’t wear us out, the game is over and we’re going back to the hotel.”
Full squad:
goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Patricio (Roma/ITA), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton/ENG)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint Germain/FRA), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/GER)
Midfielders:Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton/ENG), Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), William Carvalho (Real Betis/ESP), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Otavio (Porto), Joao Mario (Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG)
promoted
Ahead: Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Ricardo Horta (Braga), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/ENG), Andre Silva (RB Leipzig/GER)
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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