Portugal squad for World Cup qualifiers against Armenia & Hungary; Cristiano Ronaldo included

The UEFA Nations League winners will start their World Cup qualifiers in September.

For Portugal’s forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Armenia and Hungary next month, head coach Roberto Martinez revealed a “23 plus one”-man roster. The Selecao, who won the UEFA Nations League, will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign from September as they are drawn in Group F.

The head coach of Portugal also revealed the reason for keeping the 23+1 in the squad when he announced his selection. Martinez stated that forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July, had an open berth in the team.

“This is the first training camp without Diogo Jota. We know what he meant to each of us. We want to honour his memory every day,” Martinez said.

“We will carry his spirit in our hearts. We will win for Diogo, for his brother André, as we always do for all Portuguese people. We will call up 23+1.”

In the World Cup qualifying round, Portugal, the winner of the UEFA Nations League, are paired with Armenia, Hungary, and the Republic of Ireland. The Selecao will travel to Budapest to meet Hungary three days after their match against Armenia on September 6.

Portugal announce squad for September international break

Goalkeepers – Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting CP) and José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Defenders – Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (Al Hilal), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), António Silva (SL Benfica); Renato Veiga (Villarreal);

Midfielders – João Palhinha (Tottenham Hotspurs), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting CP), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City);

Forwards – João Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea FC), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

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