Portugal predicted squad for Euro 2024: Projected final roster of Cristiano Ronaldo's side at UEFA European Championship | Sporting News Canada (2024)

As the 2024 European Championship draw near, anticipation is building among fans worldwide as they eagerly anticipate the announcement of their national team squads for the tournament in Germany.

Portugal were dumped out of the quarterfinals in the 2022 World Cup in a shock defeat to Morocco. Cristiano Ronaldo found himself on the bench for both knockout games, leading many to speculate that he may have made his final appearance at a major international tournament.

That was until Roberto Martinez replaced Fernando Santos as the country's head coach. Martinez, the former Everton and Belgium manager, has since included Ronaldo in every Portugal squad and CR7 has started every match he's been available.

While there was uncertainty surrounding the participation of one of the greatest players of all time for the upcoming trip to Germany this summer, it now seems unquestionable that he will be present.

The Sporting News takes a look at what the rest of the Portugal squad may look like for the tournament.

MORE:The list of teams who have qualified for Euro 2024

Portugal predicted squad for Euro 2024

Portugal have somewhat underperformed since their triumph at the 2016 European Championship. They're a team that consistently appears competitive on paper but has had problems in the camp, with squad morale often thought to be a factor.

Since Martinez took charge, they cruised through qualification as normal but his task now is getting the best out of an incredibly talented crop of players.

Who's definitely in?

Ronaldo: While he may be 39 years old, age is indeed just a number to that man. There are arguably less than a handful of athletes on the planet who look after themselves as well as the Al Nassr forward.

Despite playing the last two seasons in an unproven Saudi Professional League, he has been banging in the goals and playing 90 minutes in nearly every game. Even though many believe Martinez would be better off moving on from Ronaldo, as a coach it's near impossible to leave out the game's greatest goalscorer of all time.

In other areas of the pitch, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are nailed on to be included in the squad. They've both been vital members for their Manchester clubs in the Premier League and continue to produce for the national side. Diogo Costa is also fairly certain to be the starting goalkeeper at the tournament, with Ruben Dias leading the defence.

MORE: EURO 2024 groups, fixtures and schedule

Whose place is at risk?

Pepe became the second oldest outfield player to feature at a World Cup when he came on as a substitute in Qatar back in 2022. He's now 41 years old but was spectacular in Porto's two legs against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 earlier this year.

Matheus Nunes has seen his minutes severely limited at Manchester City this season after joining them last summer from Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was once labelled as "one of the best players in the world" by Pep Guardiola, however, the City boss retracted that statement just a few weeks after signing him.

Martinez could look to include players such as Ruben Neves or Joao Neves instead of the 25-year-old but MatheusNunes is unlikely to be left out entirely.

41-year-old Pepe pointed to the Porto badge before reminding Arsenal fans that they've won the Champions League twice ✌️

Tough 🥶

(via @livescore) pic.twitter.com/NdCZAmEPRj

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 15, 2024

Who could be a wildcard pick?

Depending on how highly Martinez values the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo's teammate Otavio could be a wildcard pick. He's 29 years old and is enjoying a relatively successful league campaign thus far.

The other wildcard pick may be Pedro Neto. Had he not suffered a potential season-ending hamstring injury in March, he almost certainly would have been selected due to his best season yet. If the Wolves attacking winger can recover in time, he could prove useful to Martinez's squad in Germany.

Predicted full Portugal squad for Euro 2024

Here is our predicted Portugal squad for Euro 2024.

Ages, caps are correct as of March 18, 2024.

Predicted lineup for Portugal's first Euro 2024 match

Portugal start their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign against Czech Republic onTuesday, June 18at Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig. Kickoff is at9:00 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET).

Portugal projected starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left):Costa (GK) — Dalot, Dias, Silva, Cancelo — Fernandes, Silva, Palhinha — Leao, Ronaldo, Felix.

When is the Portugal squad announced for Euro 2024?

We don't exactly know when Martinez will announce Portugal's final squad for EURO 2024, however, UEFA rules state it must be submitted by June 7, 2024.

MORE: The full schedule for Euro 2024, from group stage to final

Portugal EURO 2024 fixtures