Portugal have named their 23-man squad for Euro 2016, which includes newly signed Bayern Munich starlet Renato Sanches.
The 18-year-old slipped through the fingers of Manchester United to sign for Bayern to sign for the German giants just days ago, and has now capped off a stunning week with inclusion in the Euro 2016 squad, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sanches was only capped for the first time in March this year but two last-minute absences opened the door to the youngster as Bernardo Silva suffered a muscle injury in action for Monaco last weekend and coach Fernando Santos has opted not to risk Atlético Madrid’s Tiago after his return from a leg fracture. Danny and Fábio Coentrão also miss out due to injury.
Os 23. #Euro2016@UEFAEUROpic.twitter.com/tXdDjAleeZ
— selecaoportugal (@selecaoportugal) May 17, 2016
Santos, who was cautious about stating that this was his “final list” with the possibility of injuries before the 30 May squad deadline, said: “I’m sure Cristiano Ronaldo is in top form both mentally and physically. He is preparing for the Champions League final but I know he is also prepared to give Portugal his best.”
“We have a well defined strategy with no fixed players. We like mobility and we don’t have a specific formation. But I concede that it is probably closer to 4-4-2 … I believe we can win the competition. We have the quality to beat any opponent so why not believe?”
Portugal squad for UEFA EURO 2016
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting CP), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dínamo Zagreb).
Defenders: Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Cédric (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient).
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Danilo Pereira (Porto), João Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Benfica), Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valencia), João Mário (Sporting CP).
Forwards: Rafa Silva (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Beşiktaş), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille).
Portugal’s Group F fixtures
14/06: Portugal v Iceland (St-Etienne)
18/06: Portugal v Austria (Paris)
22/06: Hungary v Portugal (Lyon)
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