Portugal name first squad without Ronaldo, with newcomers Costa and Varela in 28-man list
Cristiano Ronaldo has bid farewell to international football. Portugal have announced a national squad for the first time without the five-time Ballon d'Or-winning legend.
Portugal have named a 28-member squad for the final two matches of the Nations League group stage. The make-up of the squad shows coach Jorge Jesus giving opportunities to young players as he looks to build a team for the future in the new chapter.
Portugal will play Denmark in Braga on 14 November. They will then face Wales in Cardiff on 17 November.
Portugal have already secured a place in the quarter-finals. Their main aim in the final two matches is therefore to retain top spot in the group.
FC Porto right-back Alberto Costa and Italian club Monza forward Gustavo Varela have been called up to the national team for the first time.
Alongside the newcomers, Antonio Silva, Mateus Fernandes and Carlos Forbs have returned to the squad. Young talents Rodrigo Mora and Geovany Quenda have also been included.
The goalkeepers in the squad are Diogo Costa, Rui Silva and Samuel Soares. The defenders include Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Alberto Costa, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Goncalo Inacio and Nuno Tavares.
The midfielders are Ruben Neves, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Mateus Fernandes and Joao Palhinha. The forward line includes Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincao, Rafael Leao, Geovany Quenda, Carlos Forbs, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Fabio Silva and Gustavo Varela.
