World Cup 2022: Portugal behind Ronaldo, without Moutinho or Sanches

At 37, the five-time Ballon d’Or will always be the star of the Portuguese selection. But also the only 30-year-old in the Portuguese attack, marked by a discreet generational renewal with the summons of AC Milan winger Rafael Leao (23) and Benfica center-forward Gonçalo Ramos (21). year).

Despite a changing status this season with Manchester United, between holder and substitute, “CR7” remains essential in the eyes of Fernando Santos to occupy the forefront of the attack of the 2016 European champions.

“All the players called up, including Cristiano, have a huge desire to prove their abilities and make Portugal world champions,” Santos said after announcing his World Cup nominees.

Aged 36 and with his 146 selections, the second highest total in the history of the Seleçao after Ronaldo, João Moutinho was not selected for the big world meeting, unlike his teammate in Wolverhampton, Matheus Nunes, preferred over Renato Sanches.

Sanches’ absence is only a half-surprise due to recurring injuries and substitute status with Paris Saint-Germain.

To rejuvenate the axis of his defense, Fernando Santos offered his very first summons to the revelation of Benfica, Antonio Silva (19), at the expense of Lille defender, Tiago Djalo.

Pepe finally present

Uncertain after a sprained left knee which has kept him away from the field since the beginning of October, the veteran Pepe (39) is one of the elected central hinges, as are the expected Ruben Dias and Danilo Pereira.

No surprise in the side where João Cancelo and Diogo Dalot have been summoned to occupy the right lane while the young Nuno Mendes (20) and Raphaël Guerreiro will compete for a place on the left side.

Very densely endowed with talent, the midfield of Portugal will mix long-time regulars, recent returns and bets. If the defensive Joao Palhinha, Ruben Neves and William Carvalho as well as the playmakers of the two Manchesters, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva have logically been called up, Fernando Santos has summoned several ghosts.

Winner of Euro-2016, Joao Mario is rewarded for his good start to the season with Benfica, as well as the midfielder of PSG Vitinha.

Despite a jagged playing time on the side of Atletico Madrid, João Félix is ​​present in the list of Fernando Santos.

With a handful of caps, Luso-Brazilian Otavio earned his place in the group. He aspires to a starting spot after making good copies during the play-offs in March against Turkey and North Macedonia.

Poured into group H of the World Cup-2022, which will be played in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, Portugal will face Ghana, Uruguay and then South Korea. Until then, the Seleçao will play a preparation match against Nigeria.

The list of the 26 Portuguese:

Goalkeepers (3): Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Patricio (AS Roma/ITA), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton/ENG)

Defenders (8): Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), João Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Pepe (FC Porto), Rúben Dias (Manchester City (ENG), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Raphaël Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Milieux (8): Rúben Neves (Wolverhhampton/ENG), João Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), William Carvalho (Betis Séville/ESP), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Otávio (FC Porto), Joao Mario (SL Benfica) Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton/ENG).

Attaquants (7) : Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Rafael Leão (AC Milan/ITA), Joao Félix (Atlético de Madrid/ESP), Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester) United/ENG), André Silva (RB Leipzig/GER)