2016 UEFA European Championship and 2019 UEFA League of Nations winner will look to farewell their greatest player of all time with the only remaining trophy from his trophy cabinet. If Ronaldo does complete the trifecta, it will end the debate of "If he is the greatest player ever?" once and for all.
Fernando Santos' biggest headache would be picking a formation that plays every player in their preferred position especially up top alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
We do predict either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 in play depending on the players. Nevertheless, these are our picks for 26 players we predict will go to Qatar to represent Portugal.
Goalkeeper
Our Pick: Rui Patrício
Fairly easy pick even at the age of 34, playing for Jose Mourinho's Roma in Serie A. has appeared in 13 matches this season playing a total of 1170 minutes. Rui Patrício concedes an average of 0.92 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch. He has kept a Clean Sheet in 4 matches out of the 13 that the player has played in.
Patrício has good reactions when keeping out close-range shots. He prefers to stay on his line rather than coming to claim crosses – both in open play and at set pieces – and relies either on his center-backs to clear the ball or his agility to stop shots that come his way. What he lacks in a willingness to claim deliveries he makes up for in the combination of his reactions, strong wrists, and saving technique. Despite that reluctance to claim crosses, Patrício is very quick to close down opponents moving toward the goal. When forwards are put through on goal, he is particularly quick to come off his line, put pressure on the attacker, and close down the angles for them to shoot. He uses his large frame to make himself as big as possible, and he also stands up for as long as possible. He is far more effective in doing that than diving at the feet of an attacker. Because he is so tall, he can also be a little too slow to get down; there have been a few too many occasions when forwards have managed to dribble around him as a consequence. There is, however, a weakness in his game when facing long shots. When he is left purely to his instincts – facing close-range shots, for example – he is incredibly strong, but he can be slow to move across his goal when trying to deal with shots from distance. His footwork isn’t the best in those situations, and opponents who hit powerful shots can find a route past him from range. He is not fast enough to sort his feet out in preparation to dive. As a result, he perhaps conceded too many long-range goals in his time at Wolves. He was the first-choice keeper for both the UEFA Euro & UEFA Nations League which Portugal won, while also claiming Man of the Match in the European Championship against France.
The second man on the plane and someone who can start over Rui Patricio would be Porto's, Diogo Costa. Even if you were living under a rock, you would've heard his name. Especially for his UEFA Champions League encounters, and his being linked with Manchester United as a successor to David de Gea. He has appeared in 12 matches this season in Liga NOS, playing a total of 1080 minutes. He concedes an average of 0.67 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch. He has kept a Clean Sheet in 6 matches out of the 12 that the player has played in. In 6 UEFA Champions League games, he has kept 3 clean sheets and conceded just 4 goals helping his side qualify for the Round of 16 where they were placed in the same group as Atletico Madrid, Bayern Leverkusen, and Club Brugge. So far he has played 7 games for Portugal including 4 games in the 2022 UEFA League of Nations keeping 2 clean sheets and conceding 2 goals.
His biggest competition would be Patricio's 29 y/o replacement at Wolves, José Sá. He has appeared in 14 matches this season in Premier League, playing a total of 1260 minutes. He concedes an average of 1.5 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch. He has also kept a Clean Sheet in 4 matches out of the 14 that the player has played in. Jose Sa had already transformed the Wolves’ style of play since his summer signing from Greek side Olympiakos with his brisk, accurate distribution and his aggression at coming off his line. There were just one or two doubts after a couple of early-season errors. Sa is more active and aggressive than Patricio. It is a tone set by new head coach Bruno Lage who, working closely with goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts, also in his first season with Wolves, has encouraged Sa and backup John Ruddy to be flexible when bringing the ball out from the back.
2 names who unfortunately won't make it to the tournament are Lyon's Anthony Lopes who has played 14 times for Portugal and was a UEFA European Championship winner, and Real Betis' Rui Silva who has just 1 cap for the team coming in an exhibition match against Israel in Lisbon. There are only a few teams as lucky as Portugal to have one of the best and in-form defensive back lines. Every single player right now is performing at his peak and would love to emulate the same at the World Cup as well.
Starting with the right side, we have Manchester United's Diogo Dalot who has become one of the best right back in Europe in recent months which made Erik Ten Haag change his mind about signing a new one and now look for his backup to replace Aaron Wan-Bisaka. Dalot is a physically strong defender known for his speed, technique, and offensive capabilities. He can play as a full-back or winger on either flank, although he usually plays on the right. He is usually deployed as a wing-back on the right but in a more conventional full-back role on the left. As a left-back, he has been praised for his work ethic and defensive awareness. He has good dribbling skills and is noted for his involvement in counter-attacks by making crosses or long passes. His physique enables him to perform well in aerial duels. At just 23 years of age, it's long before he hits his prime. In 19 Club games this season, he has 1 goal and 2 assists. He also scored 2 goals when he last played for Portugal in UEFA Champions League against the Czech Republic. With João Cancelo playing on the left, he won't have much competition with his backup effectively being Lille's Tiago Djaló.
While on the left as we suggested will be João Cancelo which will allow coach Fernando Santos to play both of his best full-backs. Regarded as one of the best offensive full-backs in Europe, Cancelo is mainly known for his speed, energy, and offensive capabilities, as well as his technique, dribbling skills, creativity, and crossing ability. He is capable of playing as a full-back or winger on either flank, although he usually plays on the right. During his time at Juventus, he was considered one of the best full-backs in Europe. Despite his ability going forward, however, his tactical sense, positioning, and defensive skills have been cited as weaknesses in the media. He has 37 caps for the national side scoring 7 goals. At 28 years of age, he is entering his prime years which would be crucial for him, his national side, and his club as he grows even more. In 20 games so far this season in EPL & UCL, he has 2 goals and 5 assists.
Our center-back pairing would be Manchester City's Rúben Dias and Portugal's Vice-Captain Pepe. One is 39 years old with 128 Caps for the national team making him the third highest on the list while the other is just 25 years old with 39 caps for the national team. That's the contrast between the two center-backs we predict. Approximately 15 years of the age difference, fun fact, Pepe made his senior team debut 15 years ago in 2007 which shows the huge difference. 2016 UEFA European Championship and 2019 UEFA League of Nations winner, Pepe is a quick, aggressive, physically strong, and tenacious defender, Pepe is known for his work rate and hard-tackling style of play; due to his height, he is also an aerial threat on set-pieces. While he usually plays as a center-back, he has also been deployed as a defensive midfielder at the international level. However, despite his defensive abilities, he has also drawn criticism in the media due to his tendency to pick up cards, as he has often shown violent or unsportsmanlike behavior, which includes diving, and violent challenges on the pitch. Currently playing in Portugal with FC Porto since his move back from Real Madrid. He has 3 UCL, 3 La Liga, 3 Liga NOS, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 UEFA Super Cup, 2 FIFA Club World Cup, and several more trophies in his illustrious CV.
His backup will be Borussia Dortmund's Raphaël Guerreiro, Paris Saint-Germain's Danilo Pereira and Nuno Mendes, and Benfica's António Silva. A hard-tackling and versatile defender, Silva is a physically strong, right-footed center-back, who usually features on the right-hand side of the central defense, but he can play on both sides due to being comfortable at passing the ball with both feet. António Silva, the youngest member of the squad, was called up at just 19 years of age, in 16 games so far across Europe which saw them qualify for the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Play-Off and undefeated in Primeira Liga with 37 points from 13 games with 12 wins and 1 draw. He has scored 3 goals while maintaining 0.8 shots, a 61.9 avg. passes, 91.3% successful passes, and 5.5 long balls per game. While defensively, 1.8 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 1 foul, 0.8 Offside won, 3.4 clearances, 0.5 Dribbled past, and 0.5 OutfielderBlock per game. His passing, aerial duels and tackling skills would highly complement Portugal's style of play while being a good dependable backup to Diogo Dalot. From the youngest to the veteran of the game Danilo Pereira. While added to the squad as a backup center-back, he is a defensive midfielder par excellence, Danilo's timing and sense of danger allow him to nip opposition attacks in the bud, but he is also capable of last-ditch interventions and loves nothing more than nipping the ball off the toe of an attacker when they are about to shoot. A regular in Christophe Galtier's PSG side is right now undefeated in Ligue 1 with 15 games played with 13 wins and 2 draws. While being undefeated in the UEFA Champions League with 4 wins and 2 draws, coming second after Benfica in their group on technicalities. In 21 games for the club, he has scored 1 solo goal in Ligue 1 in a 2-1 win against Lorient. With 0.1 key passes, 48 avg. passes, 2.5 long balls, and 92.7% successful passes per game. While his teammate at both club and country who will be playing as Joao Cancelo's backup on the left side of the pitch will be youngster Nuno Mendes. At just 20 years old, he has established himself as a dependable and capable modern full-back for both club and country. He is a left-wing-back, and he shines with his dynamism, personality, dribbling skills, and defensive contribution. At just 5'9", he isn't the tallest full-back and he lacks majorly in aerial duels, apart from that one weakness, he is quite well-rounded in other factors on the pitch. Lastly, we have Borussia Dortmund's Raphaël Guerreiro, last on our list as well as Fernando Santos as backup Left-Back. In 20 games for his club side with whom he sits 6th on the Bundesliga table with 8 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses in 15 games while finishing second in the UEFA Champions League group which wasn't easy by any parameter with Man City, Sevilla, and FC Copenhagen. The Portuguese international has been a hallmark of Borussia Dortmund's strongest XI whenever fit and on his game. His play style is very much known for excellent footwork, and the ability to dribble past players and link up well with his teammates down the left. in 20 games, he has scored. 3 goals and 2 assists with 0.6 crosses, 1.6 long balls, 1.3 key passes, 51.9 avg. passes, and 86% successful pass percentage.
Players we are snubbing for the Qatar World Cup 2022 are Nélson Semedo, Gonçalo Inácio, Cédric Soares, José Fonte, David Carmo, Domingos Duarte, Tiago Djaló, and Mário Rui.
Defenders
Our Pick: Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo
There are only a few teams as lucky as Portugal to have one of the best and in-form defensive back lines. Every single player right now is performing at his peak and would love to emulate the same at the World Cup as well.
Starting with the right side, we have Manchester United's Diogo Dalot who has become one of the best right back in Europe in recent months which made Erik Ten Haag change his mind about signing a new one and now look for his backup to replace Aaron Wan-Bisaka. Dalot is a physically strong defender known for his speed, technique, and offensive capabilities. He can play as a full-back or winger on either flank, although he usually plays on the right. He is usually deployed as a wing-back on the right but in a more conventional full-back role on the left. As a left-back, he has been praised for his work ethic and defensive awareness. He has good dribbling skills and is noted for his involvement in counter-attacks by making crosses or long passes. His physique enables him to perform well in aerial duels. At just 23 years of age, it's long before he hits his prime. In 19 Club games this season, he has 1 goal and 2 assists. He also scored 2 goals when he last played for Portugal in UEFA Champions League against the Czech Republic. With João Cancelo playing on the left, he won't have much competition with his backup effectively being Lille's Tiago Djaló.
While on the left as we suggested will be João Cancelo which will allow coach Fernando Santos to play both of his best full-backs. Regarded as one of the best offensive full-backs in Europe, Cancelo is mainly known for his speed, energy, and offensive capabilities, as well as his technique, dribbling skills, creativity, and crossing ability. He is capable of playing as a full-back or winger on either flank, although he usually plays on the right. During his time at Juventus, he was considered one of the best full-backs in Europe. Despite his ability going forward, however, his tactical sense, positioning, and defensive skills have been cited as weaknesses in the media. He has 37 caps for the national side scoring 7 goals. At 28 years of age, he is entering his prime years which would be crucial for him, his national side, and his club as he grows even more. In 20 games so far this season in EPL & UCL, he has 2 goals and 5 assists.
Our center-back pairing would be Manchester City's Rúben Dias and Portugal's Vice-Captain Pepe. One is 39 years old with 128 Caps for the national team making him the third highest on the list while the other is just 25 years old with 39 caps for the national team. That's the contrast between the two center-backs we predict. Approximately 15 years of the age difference, fun fact, Pepe made his senior team debut 15 years ago in 2007 which shows the huge difference. 2016 UEFA European Championship and 2019 UEFA League of Nations winner, Pepe is a quick, aggressive, physically strong, and tenacious defender, Pepe is known for his work rate and hard-tackling style of play; due to his height, he is also an aerial threat on set-pieces. While he usually plays as a center-back, he has also been deployed as a defensive midfielder at the international level. However, despite his defensive abilities, he has also drawn criticism in the media due to his tendency to pick up cards, as he has often shown violent or unsportsmanlike behavior, which includes diving, and violent challenges on the pitch. Currently playing in Portugal with FC Porto since his move back from Real Madrid. He has 3 UCL, 3 La Liga, 3 Liga NOS, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 UEFA Super Cup, 2 FIFA Club World Cup, and several more trophies in his illustrious CV.
His backup will be Borussia Dortmund's Raphaël Guerreiro, Paris Saint-Germain's Danilo Pereira and Nuno Mendes, and Benfica's António Silva. A hard-tackling and versatile defender, Silva is a physically strong, right-footed center-back, who usually features on the right-hand side of the central defense, but he can play on both sides due to being comfortable at passing the ball with both feet. António Silva, the youngest member of the squad, was called up at just 19 years of age, in 16 games so far across Europe which saw them qualify for the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Play-Off and undefeated in Primeira Liga with 37 points from 13 games with 12 wins and 1 draw. He has scored 3 goals while maintaining 0.8 shots, a 61.9 avg. passes, 91.3% successful passes, and 5.5 long balls per game. While defensively, 1.8 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 1 foul, 0.8 Offside won, 3.4 clearances, 0.5 Dribbled past, and 0.5 OutfielderBlock per game. His passing, aerial duels and tackling skills would highly complement Portugal's style of play while being a good dependable backup to Diogo Dalot. From the youngest to the veteran of the game Danilo Pereira. While added to the squad as a backup center-back, he is a defensive midfielder par excellence, Danilo's timing and sense of danger allow him to nip opposition attacks in the bud, but he is also capable of last-ditch interventions and loves nothing more than nipping the ball off the toe of an attacker when they are about to shoot. A regular in Christophe Galtier's PSG side is right now undefeated in Ligue 1 with 15 games played with 13 wins and 2 draws. While being undefeated in the UEFA Champions League with 4 wins and 2 draws, coming second after Benfica in their group on technicalities. In 21 games for the club, he has scored 1 solo goal in Ligue 1 in a 2-1 win against Lorient. With 0.1 key passes, 48 avg. passes, 2.5 long balls, and 92.7% successful passes per game. While his teammate at both club and country who will be playing as Joao Cancelo's backup on the left side of the pitch will be youngster Nuno Mendes. At just 20 years old, he has established himself as a dependable and capable modern full-back for both club and country. He is a left-wing-back, and he shines with his dynamism, personality, dribbling skills, and defensive contribution. At just 5'9", he isn't the tallest full-back and he lacks majorly in aerial duels, apart from that one weakness, he is quite well-rounded in other factors on the pitch. Lastly, we have Borussia Dortmund's Raphaël Guerreiro, last on our list as well as Fernando Santos as backup Left-Back. In 20 games for his club side with whom he sits 6th on the Bundesliga table with 8 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses in 15 games while finishing second in the UEFA Champions League group which wasn't easy by any parameter with Man City, Sevilla, and FC Copenhagen. The Portuguese international has been a hallmark of Borussia Dortmund's strongest XI whenever fit and on his game. His play style is very much known for excellent footwork, and the ability to dribble past players and link up well with his teammates down the left. in 20 games, he has scored. 3 goals and 2 assists with 0.6 crosses, 1.6 long balls, 1.3 key passes, 51.9 avg. passes, and 86% successful pass percentage.
Players we are snubbing for the Qatar World Cup 2022 are Nélson Semedo, Gonçalo Inácio, Cédric Soares, José Fonte, David Carmo, Domingos Duarte, Tiago Djaló, and Mário Rui.
Midfielders
Our Pick: Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, and Bernardo Silva
Midfield is one area where Portugal is loaded with an amazing pool of talent. We will start with our No. 6 in a 4-3-3 formation, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rúben Neves. One of the stars of the team who hasn't garnered as much fame as his compatriots, and is regularly linked with a move away to Manchester duo, Arsenal, and Chelsea. He is a passing machine. He has drawn comparisons to Xavi, a pint-sized playmaker at the heart of midfield. But if you see the way his game has developed, perhaps in truth he is more similar to another Barcelona and Portugal legend; Deco. He can keep the ball ticking over nicely in midfield, but he’s really at his best when he opens things up. Neves’ passing range is spectacular, and it has helped him settle into life in England. But it’s not just passing, Ruben Neves can shoot. This is where the similarities with Deco come home, as Neves is deadly from range. He’s scored 4 goals in 14 Premier League games with 1.5 shots, 0.8 key passes, and a 52.3 avg. passes, 5 long balls, and 86.1% successful passes per game.
Ahead of him in a more No.8 role will be Manchester City's, Bernardo Silva. Silva is a diminutive, elegant, and creative left-footed playmaker, with a slender build, who is capable of playing in several attacking and midfield positions. Throughout his career, he has been fielded in a variety of roles, including as a winger on either flank (although he favors the right side of the pitch), as a central midfielder, as a deep-lying playmaker, as an attacking midfielder, or even as a second striker; he has also been deployed in a false 9 role, or even as a wing-back on occasion. He is mainly known for his technique, acceleration, agility, passing, vision, and dribbling skills, as well as his energy and defensive work rate, which enables him to cover ground, press opponents, and start attacks after winning back possession. Although he is known for his ability to carry the ball forward, run at defenses, and retain possession, he is also known to be an intelligent team player, with a strong personality, who prefers to participate in the build-up of offensive plays rather than undertaking individual dribbling runs. Despite primarily being a creative midfielder, he is also capable of scoring goals himself. In 23 games for the club, he has scored 2 goals and 5 assists while managing an avg. rating of 7.12.
Alongside him in a no. 10 role will be his club rival, Bruno Fernandes. An attacking midfielder, Fernandes is a direct, energetic box-to-box playmaker who is capable of both taking on defenders and setting the rhythm of play. Directness also means that Fernandes tends to take a lot of risks with the type and level of passes he attempts to complete, especially because he often tries to deliver killer ones. However, despite being prone to turnovers, he typically presses the opposition right after losing possession. Fernandes boasts a prolific goalscoring record from the midfield position. He frequently shoots from outside the penalty area and is an accurate free-kick and penalty taker. While he had a slow season thus far compared to his 1.5 years at the club. In 20 games for the club, he has only managed 3 goals and 3 assists. While many analysts & critics have blamed his form on the Country's talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, since the arrival of Erik Ten Hag who has favored Marcus Rashford ahead of the 5 times Ballon d'Or winner, he has shown signs of improvement. More than as a goal scorer which he initially was, he has converted into a mature playmaker who combined with Christian Eriksen to focus on passing the ball onto the front line, developing into Erik's total football philosophy quite comfortably. He has also been given the Captain armband in the absence of out-of-form Harry Maguire.
Other names for the team sheet will be Fulham's João Palhinha, Real Betis' William Carvalho, PSG's Vitinha, Benfica's João Mário, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Nunes, and FC Porto's Otávio.
Players we are snubbing for the Qatar World Cup 2022 are Wolverhampton Wanderers' João Moutinho and Paris Saint-Germain's Renato Sanches.
Forward
Our Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, and Rafael Leão
While 3 names of starting XI won't be as straightforward but 2 names easily walk in any day. One is on merit, while the other is one of the greatest players this game has ever seen. With more than 800 career goals, 117 goals for the National team make him the highest goal-scoring professional footballer on both club and national levels. Cristiano Ronaldo is irreplaceable and can walk into any team. While he is on the bench for Manchester United, at 38 years old, he is still legendary enough to make Portugal a favorite for the World Cup. He is the one name who lead them to UEFA European Championship, and UEFA Nations League. With 191 caps, he is the most-capped player for Portugal and 3rd most capped player of all time with just 29 caps behind the top spot. He has 5th highest number of assists of all time with 265 assists. In 1,142 games with 818 goals, he is the greatest player, and. we don't think we need to tell more or justify who will start as the No. 9.
Along with him in the attack will be João Félix if Fernando Santos decides to play 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2, if he decides on a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-2-1, it will be Rafael Leão. Atlético Madrid's João Félix usually played as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation, where he was tasked with linking up the midfield with the attack, as well as creating opportunities for the team's main striker, while also being given the freedom to make runs into the box and score goals himself. In 18 games, he has scored 4 goals and 3 assists, while hasn't yet achieved the peak expected of him, neither has justified his €127.20m price tag that Atletico paid for him to Benfica back in the summer of 2019, but recently has shown some progress. Other names in the front line will be Rafael Leão on the left side of the pitch with Bernardo Silva moving on the right side of the pitch, and PSG's Danilo Pereira or Real Betis' William Carvalho into the midfield 3. It will be a tricky formation considering the depth Portugal has in the attacking side. AC Milan's Rafael Leão is regarded as a highly skillful and technical player, capable of playing on either flank, due to his versatility. He has been in fine form this season, in 20 games he has scored 7 goals and 9 assists. Even with names like Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Olivier Giroud, he was the most crucial player in AC Milan's Scudetto win last season. While this season they sit 8 points behind Luciano Spalletti's Napoli with 10 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses in 15 games and 2nd in the UEFA Champions League as well 3 wins, 1 loss. and 2 draws from 6 games in a tough group of Chelsea, RB Salzburg, and Dinamo Zagreb.
The backup will be RB Leipzig's André Silva, SC Braga's Ricardo Horta, and Benfcia's Gonçalo Ramos.
The names we are snubbing are injured Liverpool's Diogo Jota, Wolves' Pedro Neto and Gonçalo Guedes, and Sporting CP's Francisco Trincão.
While they are not the strongest but they are quite well-balanced. They have some big names in Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Ruben Neves but we don't think that they will be making the final of the tournament. But if history has taught us something, it is never to write Portugal off.
Update:
Confirmed World Cup 2022 Squad of 26 for Qatar
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