With Portugal preparing to face-off against Turkey within the World Cup qualification playoffs next week, Fernando Santos has included the promising Milan starlet Rafael Leao within his 26-man roster.
With the Portuguese tactician’s side potentially having to play Italy within the final round of the elimination system in order to secure their spot to Qatar, it was inevitable to select the rising Rossoneri forward as he has been causing mayhem for various defenders within Mancini’s squad.
So far this season, the 22 year-old has been in marvelous form as he managed to score eight goals and provide three assists in 25 games played within the Serie A for Pioli’s side.
Alongside the attacking prospect, the Giallorossi shot-stopper Rui Patricio was also called upon for this significant task. With the two players being the only pair that was selected from the Serie A, Santos hopes that they can rise to the occasion as his side must cope without the likes of Ruben Dias, Nelson Semedo, and Renato Sanches.
Portugal squad list:
Goalkeepers: Lopes, Diogo Costa, Rui Patricio.
Defenders: Soares, Dalot, Cancelo, Inacio, Fonte, Pepe, Nuno Mendes, Guerreiro.
Midfielders: Danilo Pereira, Ruben Neves, Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Moutinho, Nunes, Otavio, Bernardo Silva.
Strikers: André Silva, Ronaldo, Jota, Guedes, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao.