CR7 plus 25. Who will go and who of being on Portugal’s squad for the Euro

Roberto Martínez will address the Portuguese next Tuesday to announce the call-up. Only five days left until the Portugal squad for the 2024 European Championship in Germany, from June 14 to July 14, is known, so possible ‘drawings’ of Roberto Martínez’s choices begin to emerge regarding the selection of 26 players (previously, the limit was 23).

Not foreseeing any injury scenarios given the options observed by the national team coach, there are names that seem almost certain for the next call-up and others that oscillate between doubt and dream, with a shortlist of players who will hardly (if not impossible) make it to Euro 2024.

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the players who will be part of Roberto Martínez’s squad, along with other Portuguese internationals widely used by the Spanish coach since he debuted with the team in March 2023.

Portugal aims to correct the disappointment caused by the elimination in the World Cup quarterfinals against Morocco, with the ambition to repeat the feat of 2016 this time in the European Championship.

In the midfield and forward areas, the question remains whether Roberto Martínez will opt for nine midfielders and six forwards or eight midfielders and seven attackers. Players like Danilo Pereira, João Palhinha, Rúben Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Otávio Monteiro, and Bernardo Silva are strong possibilities.

In the attacking department, alongside CR7, players like Rafael Leão, João Félix, and Gonçalo Ramos seem to have secured spots, with others still vying for the remaining places depending on the tactical nuances envisioned by the national team coach.

It is always complex to mark an ‘X’ on someone as football is momentary, but evaluating the 14 months of work of Fernando Santos’ successor, names like Ricardo Velho or Matheus Magalhães are unlikely to be among the options, in a list that also includes Luis Maximiano, Rui Silva, Anthony Lopes, Mário Rui, Ricardo Pereira, Cédric Soares, and Eduardo Quaresma.

Experienced João Moutinho may be joined by Fábio Vieira, Daniel Bragança, and Florentino Luís in the midfield list watching Euro 2024 on TV, while players like Gonçalo Guedes, André Silva, Beto, and Paulinho, along with Diogo Jota and Pedro Neto absent due to injury, are unlikely to make the cut.

Portugal starts their Euro 2024 campaign on June 18 against the Czech Republic, followed by Turkey on June 22 and Georgia on June 26 in the group stage, with the 26 footballers of the ‘Valiant Nation’ hoping their journey goes beyond that.

Read More: Date set for Roberto Martínez to announce Euro squad