Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has just announced a list of 32 players preparing for friendly matches against Sweden and Slovenia.
On the summon list are veteran midfielder Pepe, 41 years old, Ronaldo, 39 years old…old enough to be the fathers of young players like Conceicao, 21 years old, Silva, 24 years old…
Conceicao is playing for Porto, and Silva is playing for Vitoria Guimaraes. These are the two players who have the honor of being called up by the Spanish strategist for the first time to play alongside their fathers, uncles and seniors to prepare for matches. will be the basis for the Euro 2024 finals, which will take place from July 14 to August 14 in Germany.
Explaining the reason why there is a huge age difference in this list of 32 players, coach Martinez said that this helps him have a balance between youth and experience in the team.
Coach Martinez also believes that the two veterans Ronaldo and Pepe will lead their juniors to do something like Euro 2016 in France, bringing Portugal to the championship.
The Spanish strategist also said that the fact that he called up the players to play in friendly matches this time was not “called up to enjoy the team atmosphere” but that they would be given the opportunity to actually play on the field. mature.
After two friendly matches against Sweden and Slovenia, Ronaldo and his teammates also played three more friendly matches against Finland, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.
Portugal team list:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton), Rui Patricio (AS Roma)
+ Defenders: Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton), Joao Mario (FC Porto), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Raphael Guerreiro (FC Bayern Munich), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Diogo Leite (Union Berlin ), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Pepe (FC Porto), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Toti Gomes (Wolverhampton), Danilo Pereira (PSG)
+ Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Joao Neves (Benfica), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Otavio Monteiro (Al Nasr), Vitinha (PSG), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
+ Strikers: Francisco Conceiçao (FC Porto), Jota Silva (Vitoria Guimaraes), Ricardo Trincao (Sporting Lisbon), Bruma (Sporting Braga), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Joao Felix (FC Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr ), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG)