Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Cristiano Ronaldo may well be fresh off of a third Champions League success in four seasons but this month will also present the opportunity to win even more silverware, this time though it is on the international stage as Portugal take part in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Portugal are in the competition by virtue of winning the European Championship last summer and are joined by hosts Russia, Germany, Chile, New Zealand, Mexico, Cameroon and Australia in what is the dress rehearsal for the World Cup in 12 months time.
The current FIFA Men’s Player of the year winner Ronaldo is joined by 23 other names as Portugal look to add a second trophy in consecutive years, although there is one name missing from the list that has caused something of a surprise.
That being Renato Sanches of Bayern Munich, the current Golden Boy and European Championship Young player of the tournament has not been selected for this competition as his adjustment to life in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich has not quite gone to plan.
In regards to British interest there are four players in the squad. The biggest name of the quartet will be Manchester City’s new signing Bernardo Silva. The former Monaco man is also joined by Southampton’s Cedric, Jose Fonte of West Ham and Bruno Alves who has recently signed for Glasgow Rangers
Here is the Portugal squad in full
Goalkeepers: Beto (Sporting CP), Jose Sa (Porto), Rui Patricio (Sporting)
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Jose Fonte (West Ham), Luis Neto (Zenit), Nelson Semedo (Benfica), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), Andre Gomes (Barcelona), Danilo Pereira (Porto), Joao Mario (Inter), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Pizzi (Benfica) and William Carvalho (Sporting CP)
Forwards: Andre Silva (Porto), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Nani (Valencia) and Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).
