LISBON.- The veteran attacker Cristiano Ronaldo lead the call for Portugalannounced this Friday by coach Roberto Martínez, for the quarterfinal matches of the Nations League against Denmark.
The Al-Nassr attacker, 40, leads a call of 26 players, chosen in a “meticulous and professional” way, according to Martínez himself.
“If I could, I would call everyone. Because they deserve it, not because it is possible,” said the Spanish, who did not summon Joao Cancelo and Otavio, both injured.
In his list, which Ruben Dias returned, highlights the young Sporting attacker, Geovany Quenda.
“The fact of being with the national team at age 17 shows its potential,” Martínez said, remembering that age was not “a problem.”
“What matters is quality, commitment and work,” added the Spanish.
Portugal will play on Thursday 20 in Copenhagen the first leg and on Sunday 23 the return in Lisbon.
Portuguese selection call:
Porters: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting Portugal), José Sa (Wolverhampton/ENG)
Defenses: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton/ENG), Nuno Mendes (PSG/Fra), Nuno Tavares (Lazio/Ita), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Portugal), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Juventus/Ita
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Bayern/ger), Ruben Neves (al-Hilal/Ksa), Joao Neves (PSG/FR), Vitinha (PSG/FRA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/Eng) Joa Felix (Milan AC/Ita)
Fronts: Francisco Trincão (Sporting), Francisco Conceiçao (Juventus/Ita), Pedro Neto (Chelsea/ENG), Geovany Quenda (Sporting), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/Ita), Diogo Jota (Liverpool/Eng), Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Sg/Fra) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/Ksa).
