Portugal at UEFA Euro 2016 | Squad and Stats.

Cristiano Ronaldo – experienced enough to lead his teammates

The best goal-scorer in the history of Portugal national football team – Cristiano Ronaldo (56 goals), who is 31 years old, is now experienced enough and knows how to help his nation achieve something significant in France this summer. Ronaldo was in Portugal’s squad in 2004, when Portuguese felt the disappointment of becoming runners-up, after losing the final match of the Euro 2004 to Greece. Since then, Cristiano Ronaldo has become an integral part of Portugal’s starting eleven. The forward has won almost everything in football, but has never won an international trophy with his nation. UEFA Euro 2016 will be one of the last major international tournaments for the Portuguese.

Portugal are to start their participation at the Euro 2016 on 14th June against Iceland. There has been two games between these two teams. Logically, Portugal have won both matches (3-1 in 2010 and 5-3 in 2011). It’s interesting that 4 players, who are currently in Portugal’s squad have scored at least one goal in Iceland’s net (Nani, Moutinho, Eliseu and Cristiano Ronaldo). The next two matches for Portugal will be against Austria and Hungary. 3 of the last 4 games between Portugal and Austria have finished with the correct score of 1-1. To continue; the Portuguese players have won all the 5 competitive games against Hungary. So, Portugal will surely have no problems to proceed to the Round of 16.

This will be the 7th European championship for Portugal. The team’s best achievement is the second place in 2004, when Portugal was the host nation. In addition, the Portuguese have reached the semifinals on 3 more occasions and quarterfinals twice, which means that Portugal always qualify from the group stage. However, the biggest achievement for Portugal national team remains the third place from the World Cup in 1966. Can they win their first major international tournament?

The Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio, Anthony Lopes, Eduardo.
• Defenders: Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte, Eliseu, Raphael Guerreiro, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe, Vieirinha.
• Midfielders: Adrien Silva, William Carvalho, Danilo Pereira, Renato Sanches, Rafa Silva, Joao Moutinho, Joao Mario, Andre Gomes.
• Forwards: Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eder.

Portugal matches at the Euro 2016:

• 14/06/16 | Portugal vs. Iceland | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Ètienne)
• 18/06/16 | Portugal vs. Austria | Parc des Princes (Paris)
• 22/06/16 | Hungary vs. Portugal | Parc Olympique Lyonnais (Décines-Charpieu)

Portugal have the needed quality in their squad. That’s why the Portuguese are among the favourites in the European championship. The team is a fusion of young and experienced players. Rui Patricio will surely be starting in goal. Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho and Bruno Alves should keep the strikers quiet, while Nani, Quaresma and Ronaldo are expected to score lots of goals. The main omission in Portugal team is Fabio Coentrao. The left fullback is suffering from a thigh injury.

As everybody knows, Portugal is considered one of the high-risk teams due to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, but we are prepared for this. In reality, this will be the responsibility of the French security. Our fans will have to understand that at certain moments we won’t be able to release our players as we would like. On the other hand, I would like to say that All of my players are important. Portugal is not a one-man team. I want to test my whole squad. But if Ronaldo is so important for Real, you can only imagine how significant he is for Portugal. Certainly the same or even more.Fernando Santos