Portugal’s 2022 World Cup bid from head coach Fernando Santos is filled with big names. The fans actually have no complaints about the coach, all those who showed themselves in the season will fly to Qatar, the loss of Zhota due to injury may slightly affect the attacking potential. However, in the application of the Portuguese national team for the 2022 World Cup, every line, except for the goalkeeper, has its own stars.
Portugal squad for 2022 World Cup: Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Roma), Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sa (Wolves).
Rui Patricio has been the main player with the Portuguese team for more than 5 years, he has more than 100 matches for the main team. Santos has full confidence in the 35-year-old veteran and will not take risks in Qatar. Although Patricio is already propped up by the young Costa and Sa. The first enchanting as part of his native Porto in the Champions League, the second consistently performs in the strongest league in the world of the Premier League. The Fifa World Cup will be the last for Patricio, but the fans should not worry about the goalkeeper line - they have more than a worthy replacement.
Portugal squad for 2022 World Cup: defenders
Central defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Danilo Pereira (PSG), Pepe (Porto), António Silva (Benfica)
Right back: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Left Back: Nuno Mendes (PSG), Rafael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
In the center of defense there is a rock in the form of Dias from the champion City and a block in the form of an ageless outwardly Pepe. A meager choice in the center forces Santos to put profile defensive midfielder Danila Pereira in a non-native position, but he is good there.
As an advance to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, 19-year-old central defender António Silva from Benfica is going - he has a cool season in Lisbon, but of course, is unlikely to appear in World Cup matches.
Full backs in the Portugal Team roster for the World Cup is the strongest line out of all 32 teams. Canselo is now the best full-back in the world, while PSG’s Nuno Mendes plays confidently and boldly in his 20s. In the reserve there is a once promising Guerreiro and the same one, according to the expectations of Dalot.
Portugal squad for 2022 World Cup: midfielders
Midfielders: Joao Pagliña (Fulham), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica) ), Otavio Monteiro (Porto), Vitinha (PSG), William Carvalho (Betis).
In the application of the Portuguese midfield line looks very interesting. The squad includes both real leaders like the representatives of the two Manchesters Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, as well as experienced veterans like João Mario and William Carvalho, who has been playing for Santos for a long time. Ruben Neves is having the best seasons in his career and is ready to help the base, Matheus Nunes, Vitinha and Otavio are called up for the future. But they may well add creativity from the bench.
Forwards on the Portugal squad
Forwards: Andre Silva (RB Leipzig), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Joao Felix (Atletico), Rafael Leau (Milan), Ricardo Horta (Braga) ).
The main striking force of the Portuguese national team in Qatar will definitely not be Ronaldo. Judging by his recent speeches and interviews, the legend of world football has fallen into a vain state and will definitely not return to Manchester United. This will definitely reflect on the national team, and Santos needs to apply all his experience to prevent Ronaldo from spoiling the structure of the game. The loss of Jota is felt, although there is the champion of Italy and the monster of the last seasons Leao and the lost status of the golden boy Joao Felix. Ronaldo can be replaced in the center of attack by promising Goncalo Ramos and Andre Silva, who has lost all chances in top clubs.
Approximate composition of the Portuguese national team for the first matches of the World Cup in Qatar
The head coach of the national team, Fernando Santos, plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Approximate composition for the first matches of the World Cup: Patricio-Mendes-Pepe-Diash-Cancelo-Neves-Paglinha-Fernandes-Bernardo-Leao-Ronaldo.
