Portugal announces its squad for the upcoming Euro 2020; Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Dias all included in a star-studded lineup

Portugal announces its squad for the upcoming Euro 2020; Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Dias all included in a star-studded lineup

Portugal announces its squad for the upcoming Euro 2020; Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Dias all included in a star-studded lineup

Portugal have announced their twenty six man squad for the upcoming European Championship this summer.

The champions of the previous edition of the Euros have named a star-studded lineup, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester City trio Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo, Manchester United magnifico Bruno Fernandes as well as Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix.

Portugal name their strongest side possible for the upcoming European Championship as they look to defend their title win of 2016

Portugal name their strongest side possible for the upcoming European Championship as they look to defend their title win of 2016
Portugal name their strongest side possible for the upcoming European Championship as they look to defend their title win of 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo, who added the Italian Cup to his collection yesterday is an unmistakable feature and is joined by Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Manchester United’s prolific Bruno Fernandes up front for Portugal.

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Joining them is Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix and Andre Silva, who has scored more goals in a Bundesliga season than any other Eintracht Frankfurt player. Liverpool’s Diogo Jota has also been included despite injury fears missed Liverpool’s game against West Brom and Burnley. There were initial fears he would also miss Euro 2020, however, manager Jurgen Klopp allayed those fears in his press conference on Tuesday and he is now included in Fernando Santos’s national side.

Santos’ list of defenders is quite equally impressive as Portugal want to put up a strong defence of their title. Ruben Dias, who won earlier won the FWA Mens Footballer of the Year in EPL and was arguably Manchester City’s most inspirational player in their dominant run to the Premier League title is included with his City team mate Joao Cancelo, who have had his best ever campaign at fullback, winning the Premier League and Carabao Cup and helping his City reach the Champions League Final for the first time in their history. Pairing with Dias is veteran defender Pepe, who played a crucial role in Portugal’s win last time out.

Competent Dortmund left back Raphael Guerreiro is called up, however there is no room, for Leicester’s Ricardo Pereira as Wolverhampton Wanderer’s right-back Nelson Semedo has been selected instead.

Portugal Squad for the upcoming EURO 2020:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyon), Rui Patricio (Wolves), Rui Silva (Granada).

Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Wolves), Jose Fonte (Lille), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nuno Mendes (Sporting), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Danilo Pereira (Paris St Germain), Joao Palhinha (Sporting), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Moutinho (Wolves), Renato Sanches (Lille), Sergio Oliveira (Porto), William Carvalho (Real Betis)

Forwards: Pedro Goncalves (Sporting), Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafa Silva (Benfica).

Portugal are in Group F along with world champions France, Germany and Hungary. With a strong lineup already named, it is now to see whether Portugal can defend their title, as they face fierce competition beginning from group stage.

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