A team that always performs quite well in the UEFA European Championships. It’s always named as a potential candidate to step on the podium. This year bookmakers give Portugal 3rd place. That’s a good evaluation! Knowing that Cristiano Ronaldo probably played in the last tournament with the national team, they could be motivated enough to give everything they had. Even though, many think that CR isn’t needed by the team anymore. Oh hell, but Pepe is still here. Impressive, huh?
Here is a full squad:
Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Roma), Jose Sa (Wolves), Diogo Costa (Porto).
Defenders: Nelson Semedo (Wolves), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Danilo Pereira (PSG), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Pepe (Porto), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (PSG).
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Vitinha (PSG), Joao Neves (Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).
Forwards: Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Joao Felix (Barcelona), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Francisco Conceicao (Porto), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Pedro Neto (Wolves).
Well, going back to Cristiano Ronaldo, the long-term leader of the team, I believe his appearance in this championship could be a bad one. He didn’t play European football for a long time and he’s going to meet a lot of top-tier defenders again from tier-A teams. It’s not the same as before when you play in an objectively weaker league for a season, and instantly face way stronger defenders. It will be interesting though.
Besides CR, Portugal has a lot of talent on FW. Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Diogo Jota. All of them are dangerous and can score anytime. Knowing that all of them had a decent season in their clubs, no doubt, this is a dangerous line. In my opinion, this Euro 2024 could be an awesome one for Rafael Leao.
Going to midfielders, there are a lot of players who can create and deliver the ball straight to the forward even with a strong defense. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva – players with lots of experience and still going strong. Young talents can also be a huge help in attacking their opponents.
Defenders, well again, this position has a lot of tier-one players. It’s a combo of experienced, young, talented, and strong players. On top of it, stays Pepe who is already 41 years old, but still one of the key players on the team. Well, at least in being a mentor and teacher for youngsters. He still has played a lot of full-time games in Porto, so his physical form has no doubt.
A solid selection of goalkeepers Portugal has. All of them are good enough for this UEFA Euro 2024. Each of them is capable of ending the game with a clean sheet.
All in all, Portugal has a team that is one of the most interesting in this Championship. It has everything, many experienced legendary players, young new rising stars, super-stars, you name it. Knowing the style of football Portugal plays, I am definitely going to watch all of their games. Just to enjoy the game. And of course, it is still one of the main candidates to be in the final of Euro 2024.
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