(Football news) Fernando Santos has included uncapped 19-year-old centre back Antonio Silva and 21-year-old striker Goncalo Ramos who is subsequently the top scorer in the Portuguese league as he was named in his 26-man squad on Thursday for the World Cup in Qatar. The duo have been very impressive this season for Benfica, who are unbeaten so far in all competitions and surprisingly qualified from their Champions League group as table toppers ahead of Paris St. Germain.
Silva this season has been one of Europe's biggest breakout stars after forcing his way into Benfica's starting XI after injuries to Morato and Lucas Verissimo. On the other hand, in-form Ramos has helped Benfica fans quickly forget about their previous talisman in Darwin Nunez, who joined Liverpool this transfer window. Ramos has already scored 12 goals in all competitions, with Santos choosing him over Wolves forward Goncalo Guedes. They will be led by Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal's squad on paper looks like one of the best sides competing in Qatar.
The concern for Santos will be Ronaldo’s form as he has only scored just three goals in 16 games across all competitions and started in just four Premier League games for Manchester United. The former Real Madrid and Juventus legend requested to leave Manchester United in the summer in the hope of playing Champions League football regularly but there were no suitors. He was surrounded with controversy when he was dropped by United coach Erik ten Hag as punishment for not coming on as a substitute in a win over Tottenham in October. Ronaldo has not scored in his last three matches for Portugal, yet coach Fernando Santos has kept faith in the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has now gone on to captain his country to the 2016 European Championship glory and to the 2019 UEFA Nations League title.
Santos has also included out-of-favour forward Joao Felix in his 26-man squad. Felix, who recently turned 23, has lost his starting place at Atletico Madrid and has scored only three goals in 17 appearances this season. Portugal will miss Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and Wolves forward Pedro Neto. Jota, who has an exceptional record for Portugal, scoring 10 times in 29 appearances has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury while Neto has undergone a surgery after damaging ankle ligaments. Portugal start off their preparations by facing Nigeria in a warm-up for Qatar on Nov. 17 before they kick off their World Cup on Nov. 23 against Ghana. They also have to face Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
"We have a team capable of winning it all, that is what this group is capable of," Santos told a news conference in Lisbon on Thursday. The players are hungry and will give it all to make Portugal the world champions. Our list was based on the players' qualities and potential, on what each one of them can offer to our system."
Santos said he is not worried about criticism aimed at captain Ronaldo, whose struggles at Manchester United this season have raised questions about whether his brilliant career is nearing its end. "If we talk about momentum, Ronaldo has played the last four games with his club. So I'm not concerned. We'll try to understand the best ways to boost all the players in our system, including Ronaldo."
"Once again we are ready to uplift the name of Portugal! There are 26 names in coach Fernando Santos' list, but we are all called upon. Let's go, Portugal!" Ronaldo wrote on his Instagram account.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Rui Patricio (AS Roma).
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Danilo Pereira (Paris St Germain), Pepe (FC Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica), Nuno Mendes (Paris St Germain), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund).
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham FC), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (SL Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Vitinha (Paris St Germain), William Carvalho (Real Betis), Otavio (FC Porto).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Goncalo Ramos (SL Benfica), Andre Silva (RB Leipzig).
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