Bento stated that the main purpose of this training camp is to evaluate players during the friendly match. This list is not the final squad for the Brazil World Cup. In the group stage of the Brazil World Cup this June, Portugal is in the same group as Ghana from Africa. Selecting the "Indomitable Lions" of Cameroon, who also qualified for the World Cup finals, as a friendly opponent is intended to better adapt to the playing style of African teams in preparation for the match against Ghana.
The 23 players called up this time come from 16 clubs in 7 countries. Real Madrid of La Liga has three players selected; Braga, Porto, and Benfica of the Primeira Liga, Valencia of La Liga, and Lyon of Ligue 1 each contributed two players. The most dazzling star on the list is undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, while two 20-year-old forwards, Rafa and Ivan, have been selected for the national team for the first time.
Regarding goalkeepers, the number one choice, Rui Patrício, was unexpectedly left off the list, while Lyon's young goalkeeper Anthony Lopes returns to the squad.
In defense, Real Madrid and Valencia of La Liga each have two players selected. Right-back Miguel Lopes, on loan to Lyon from Sporting CP, has been called up, and Rolando, a center-back on loan to Inter Milan from Porto, replaces the veteran Bruno Alves.
In midfield, Sporting CP's rising star William Carvalho has successfully made the list, while Fenerbahçe veteran Raul Meireles and Porto's Josué have been recalled.
In the forward line, top star Cristiano Ronaldo leads the squad. Ricardo Quaresma, who has been scoring frequently for Porto recently, was not selected. Nani, Bruma, and Hélder Postiga are out due to injury. Braga youngster Rafa and Benfica youngster Ivan are expected to make their national team debuts, and Edinho, a forward on loan to Turkey from Braga, also appears on the list.
The 23-man list is as follows:
Goalkeepers (3): Eduardo (Braga), Beto (Sevilla), Anthony Lopes (Lyon);
Defenders (8): Miguel Lopes (Lyon), João Pereira (Valencia), Ricardo Costa (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid), Rolando (Inter Milan), Neto (Zenit), Antunes (Málaga);
Midfielders (6): Raul Meireles (Fenerbahçe), João Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kyiv), William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Rúben Amorim (Benfica), Josué (Porto);
Forwards (6): Rafa (Braga), Ivan Cavaleiro (Benfica), Edinho (Kayseri Erciyesspor), Hugo Almeida (Beşiktaş), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Varela (Porto).