This Friday, Roberto Martinez released his first list as Portugal coach. While doubt surrounded the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who left for Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr this winter, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is indeed in the group of 23 players summoned by the former Everton coach. . The latter also called up Parisians Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira and Vitinha. Diego Leite, on loan to Union Berlin from FC Porto, was selected for the first time in his career at 24.
Resigning after a failed World Cup at the head of Belgium, Martinez did not wait long before finding the bench of a prestigious selection. Indeed, Fernando Santos, criticized in Portugal and even more after a Qatari World Cup ended in elimination in the quarter-finals against Morocco, also packed up when he was on the bench of the Seleção das Quinas since 2014.
To get into the hearts of Portuguese fans, the Spanish coach will have to start the qualifying campaign for the next Euro well with the reception of Lichtenstein (March 23) and a trip to Luxembourg (March 26).
