Benfica teenager Joao Felix was also included. Portugal will play its semi-final against Switzerland in Porto on June 5 and the winner will square off against either England or the Netherlands in the final at the same venue four days later. Ronaldo was included as expected, the 34-year-old having returned to the squad after missing six matches last year following an agreement with coach Fernando Santos.
Felix has had an outstanding debut season for Benfica, attracting the interest of various clubs from around Europe. But he is still uncapped by Portugal. European champion Portugal topped its three-team group, coming ahead of Italy and Poland to qualify for the semi-finals in the top division.
The tournament offers Portugal a chance to make amends, albeit small, for Euro 2004 when it was also host but lost in the final to Greece. There was no place in the squad for Sevilla striker Andre Silva, who has been troubled by a knee injury in the last two months of the season, and midfielder Joao Mario, who has had an indifferent season with Inter Milan. Coach Santos acknowledged that such a short tournament would be a different experience for his squad. “For the players, it’s always important to have the chance to win a title,” he said. “The players have great passion to play for their country and this is no different. There is a title at stake and of course, we want to win. It’s a different sort of test. There is no group stage with points and qualification ...this is do-or-die from the start.”
Squad
Goalkeepers: Beto, Rui Patricio and Jose Sa.
Defenders: Raphael Guerreiro, Mario Rui, Ruben Dias, Jose Fonte, Pepe, Nelson Semedo and Joao Cancelo
Midfielders: Danilo Pereira, William Carvalho, Ruben Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Pizzi and Joao Moutinho
Forwards: Rafa Silva, Goncalo Guedes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Diogo Jota, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dyego Sousa.
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