Portugal's Squad Announced for Pre-World Cup Friendlies Amid Key Player Absences

Portugal's Pre-World Cup Friendlies Squad Unveiled

Lisbon, Portugal - On March 20, Portugal's head coach Roberto Martinez revealed the squad for upcoming friendlies ahead of the FIFA World Cup, but notable absences were highlighted. Legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo will not participate due to a minor muscle injury, while Manchester City's Bernardo Silva was excluded for what the coach termed a 'technical decision.'

Portugal is set to face Mexico on March 28 at the Azteca Banorte Stadium, followed by a match against the USA on March 31 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

According to the team's announcement, training will commence in Mexico next Tuesday, with players gathering on Monday.

In the World Cup, Portugal finds itself in Group K alongside a qualifying team, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, kicking off their campaign against the qualifier on June 17 in Houston.

Martinez addressed Ronaldo's absence, stating, 'The World Cup is not at risk! He is not at risk. It is a minor muscle injury, and we believe he can return in a week or two. Cristiano's physical performance this season indicates he is in excellent shape.'

Regarding Silva, he mentioned, 'Bernardo Silva's omission is a technical decision based on medical information provided by his club.'

Here is the roster selected by Roberto Martinez:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica), and Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica).

Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), and Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto).

Forwards: Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP), João Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicão (Juventus), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), and Goncalo Ramos (PSG).