Renato Sanches joins Ronaldo in Portugal squad
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
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Just days after his transfer from Benfica to Bayern München was confirmed, 18-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches is alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal squad for the finals.
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Portugal squad for UEFA EURO 2016
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting CP), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dínamo Zagreb).
Defenders: Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Cédric (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient).
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Danilo Pereira (Porto), João Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Benfica), Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valencia), João Mário (Sporting CP).
Forwards: Rafa Silva (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Beşiktaş), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille).
In the last few days his transfer from Bayern München was confirmed and he won the Liga with Benfica, now 18-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches has made the Portugal squad for UEFA EURO 2016.
Sanches was only capped for the first time in March this year but two last-minute absences opened the door to the youngster as Bernardo Silva suffered a muscle injury in action for Monaco last weekend and coach Fernando Santos has opted not to risk Atlético Madrid's Tiago after his return from a leg fracture. Danny and Fábio Coentrão also miss out due to injury.
Coentrão's absence has opened the door to Raphäel Guerreiro, the Lorient left-back to vie with Eliseu for a spot in the team. Adrien Silva, João Mário and André Gomes are also picked in a squad whose strength is in midfield, Cristiano Ronaldo notwithstanding.
Santos, who was cautious about stating that this was his "final list" with the possibility of injuries before the 30 May squad deadline, said: "I'm sure Cristiano Ronaldo is in top form both mentally and physically. He is preparing for the Champions League final but I know he is also prepared to give Portugal his best.
"We have a well defined strategy with no fixed players. We like mobility and we don't have a specific formation. But I concede that it is probably closer to 4-4-2 ... I believe we can win the competition. We have the quality to beat any opponent so why not believe?"
Portugal's Group F fixtures
14/06: Portugal v Iceland (St-Etienne)
18/06: Portugal v Austria (Paris)
22/06: Hungary v Portugal (Lyon)
