Portugal Boost: Ruben Dias Back in Squad for Denmark Clash

Returning to the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portuguese team for their forthcoming Nations League quarter-final against Denmark is Ruben Dias. 27-year-old Manchester City defender Dias had been sidelined with a muscle ailment acquired in Premier League play. Teenager striker Geovany Quenda of Lisbon has also been called upon once.

Coach Roberto Martinez insisted the youngster’s age was “not a problem” and claimed, “at 17, being in the national team shows his potential”. “What matters is quality, commitment and work,” the Spaniard said at a press conference. Martinez says that the people chosen were “meticulous and professional”.

Portugal’s 26-man squad

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton/ENG)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton/ENG), Nuno Mendes (PSG/FRA), Nuno Tavares (Lazio/ITA), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Juventus/ITA)

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Bayern/GER), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA), Joao Neves (PSG/FRA), Vitinha (PSG/FRA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Joao Felix (AC Milan/ITA)

Forwards: Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus/ITA), Pedro Neto (Chelsea/ENG), Geovany Quenda (Sporting), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG), Goncalo Ramos (PSG/FRA), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/KSA)