Cristiano Ronaldo selected for his FIFTH World Cup as Portugal boss Fernando Santos names squad for Qatar including 10 Premier League stars, despite a trio of Wolves players missing out
- Portugal boss Fernando Santos has named his 26-man squad for the World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo makes his fifth World Cup squad at what could be his last
- The Manchester United star is one of ten players to make the 26-man team
- A number of Wolves players have missed out as well as the injured Diogo Jota
- Portugal are in a group which consists of Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea
Cristiano Ronaldo will go for World Cup glory at his fifth time of asking after he was selected in Portugal’s 26-man squad for Qatar.
The Manchester United forward is one of ten players from the Premier League to be included in manager Fernando Santos’ squad.
Among those also included is club team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, as well as Manchester City stars Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to add the World Cup to his legendary career
He is joined by nine other Premier League stars including club team-mate Bruno Fernandes
Man City trio Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias (left to right) are also in the squad
Also from the Premier League are Jose Sa, Matheus Nunes and Ruben Neves of Wolves and Joao Palhinha of Fulham.
While three Wolves stars have made the squad, just as many have missed the team.
Portugal veteran Joao Moutinho as well as fellow internationals Nelson Semedo and Goncalo Guedes have been left out of the team.
The biggest name to miss out of the squad is Liverpool’s Diogo Jota who has been out with a calf injury which he sustained during their 1-0 victory over Manchester City last month.
Ronaldo was part of the Euro 2016 squad that won their first international competition and this will likely be the 37-year-old’s last chance at winning the World Cup.
Portugal are up there as one of the favourites to win the competition due to their deep squad.
Ruben Neves (left) has made the squad while Joao Moutinho (right) misses out
Diogo Jota is the big name absentee due to his injury sustained against Man City last month
Former Wolves keeper Rui Patricio had traditionally been their number one while in defence, they have a strong list of options in the full-back area.
As well as Cancelo and Dalot, they also have Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes and Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerriero.
Ex-Real Madrid and current Porto defender Pepe will also be likely playing at his last World Cup at the age of 39 and could be a contender to start alongside Dias in the centre of defence.
Portugal’s preferred midfield three in recent times has been Premier League trio Fernandes, Neves and Silva.
Veteran defender Pepe could start for Portugal at the age of 39 in Qatar this winter
Rafael Leao (pictured) and Joao Felix are expected to support Ronaldo at the World Cup
Ronaldo will likely be supported by Joao Felix and Rafael Leao up top due to the injuries of Jota and Wolves’ Pedro Neto.
The preferred three should be Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva. But if Santos wants to mix things up in the middle, he has plenty of assuring options.
Portugal kick-start their tournament on November 24 against Ghana, in a group that also consists of Uruguay and South Korea.
