Follow Portugal Immigration and Life in Portugal: The head coach of the Portugal national team, Fernando Santos, has announced the latest 25-man squad for the national team, featuring Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Coentrão, while Pepe is absent due to injury. Zhang Xizhe's teammate at Wolfsburg, Vieirinha, is included.
Pepe's name is missing from this squad; the Real Madrid defender was injured in the La Liga season finale, where they won 7-3 against Getafe. Sevilla's Europa League champion defender Carriço has replaced him. Winger Varela, who plays for Parma in Serie A, has been recalled to the national team after scoring in the last two matches of the Serie A season, maintaining good form.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is the core of this Portugal team, set to play his 120th match for the national team. Currently, Figo holds the record for the most appearances for Portugal with 127. Chinese player Zhang Xizhe's teammate at Wolfsburg, Vieirinha, is included, having just won the DFB-Pokal with his team.
Currently, Portugal is at the top of Group I in the European qualifiers with 9 points. On June 13, Portugal will challenge Armenia away; if they can defeat their opponent, Portugal will maintain their lead, and coach Santos has declared a victory is essential. On June 16, Portugal will also play a friendly match against Italy in Geneva, Switzerland.
Appendix: Portugal's Latest 25-Man Squad
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Sevilla), Rui Patrício (Sporting Lisbon)
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Cedric (Sporting Lisbon), Carriço (Sevilla), Eliseu (Benfica), Coentrão (Real Madrid), Fonte (Southampton), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
Midfielders: Adrien (Sporting Lisbon), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), André (Guimarães), Bernardo Silva (D. Silva T. Silva) (Monaco), Moutinho (Monaco), Danilo (Marítimo), Pizzi (Benfica), Thiago (Atlético Madrid)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit), Éder (Braga), Nani (Sporting Lisbon), Quaresma (Porto), Varela (Parma)
