photo by Ben Queenborough/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Joao Moutinho headline a star-studded provisional World Cup squad that was named by Portugal head coach Paulo Bento on Tuesday.
Bento called in 30 players for his pre-World Cup camp, and some of the other notable selections are Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Rolando and Raul Meireles. Bento will have to cut the squad down to 23 players by June 2 to comply with FIFA’s mandate.
Portugal take on the U.S. Men’s National Team in their second Group G game in Manaus on June 22. The Portuguese open the tournament against Germany on June 16 in Salvador and close out group play by facing Ghana on June 26 in Brasilia.
Here is Portugal’s full 30-man preliminary World Cup roster:
Goalkeepers – Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Sevilha), Eduardo (SC Braga), Rui Patrício (Sporting)
Defenders – André Almeida (Benfica), Antunes (Málaga), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid), João Pereira (Valência), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valência), Rolando (Inter)
Midfielders – André Gomes (Benfica), João Mário (Vitória FC), João Moutinho (Mónaco), Miguel Veloso (D. Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahçe), Rúben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting)
Forwards – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (SC Braga), Hélder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Ivan Cavaleiro (Benfica), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (SC Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
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What do you think of Portugal’s 30-man provisional roster? Think the USMNT can beat this group of Portuguese players? Worried now more so than ever before?
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