Portuguese national team coach, Fernando Santos has shocked many by the exclusion of Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 23-man list which has been released is for Portugal’s forthcoming international friendlies against Russia and Luxembourg.
Ronaloo was also missing from the Portugal team that faced Serbia in their final Euro 2016 qualifier as they had already qualified.
Some other notable names missing from the list include Ricardo Quaresma, Ricardo Carvalho and Tiago. Adrien Silva, Danny, Eder and Fabio Coentrao are also missing as a result of an injury.
Meanwhile the Portugal coach, Fernando Santos is not pleased he is being questioned about the exclusion of Ronaldo from the list as there are also other notable players missing.
“Why only talk about Cristiano Ronaldo when there are five or six absences?
“Cristiano is indisputable, but this is my decision.
“For a long time it’s been said we don’t have players and, when I select others, I am criticised.
“In fact, Portugal has a new generation of players emerging. We have a lot of players that enable us to make this choice.
“These games are not for experimenting, all players form part of the group,” he explained.
Here’s the complete list of invited players:
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP).
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Cedric (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).
Midfielders: Andre Andre (Porto), Andre Gomes (Valencia), Danilo (Porto), Joao Mario (Sporting CP), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), William Carvalho (Sporting CP).
Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Goncalo Guedes (Benfica), Lucas Joao (Sheffield Wednesday), Nani (Fenerbahce), Nelson Oliveira (Nottingham Forest), Ricardo Pereira (Nice).
