FIFA World Cup 2018: Top 5 players to miss out in Portugal's 23-man squad

Thanks to their remarkable (and highly improbable) Euro 2016 triumph, Portugal enter the Russian showpiece under greater scrutiny. There'll be more expectations about this side than ever and they look set to get a baptism of fire in the first match against Iberian neighbours, Spain.

The Selecao, despite boasting some of the footballing greats such as Eusebio, Deco, Pauleta and Luis Figo in the past, haven't had much success at the World Cup. Their best finish was a bronze medal in 1966. However, this current squad looks competitive enough to put up a challenge.

The 23-man squad named by manager Fernando Santos has the necessary talent and skill for that but has taken the brave decision to drop a few big names.

Here are 5 top Portuguese stars who'll miss the flight to Russia:

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#5 Renato Sanches (on-loan at Swansea City)

The 'Golden Boy' of Portugal, no more?

From being touted to be the next big thing of Portugal, to being relegated into the second division of English league, the decline of Renato Sanches has been dramatic. His impressive showings with Benfica earned him a place in the Euro 2016 squad, and he took his chances with aplomb.

At 18 then, he not only became the youngest scorer of the tournament but was also bestowed with the 'Young Player of the Tournament' award before collecting the Golden Boy award. Bayern Munich signed him with great anticipation and the stage was set for Sanches to take the world by storm.

Except, it triggered a slump. Sanches couldn't break into a star-studded Bayern squad and was loaned out to Swansea City, where he hit new lows. The Welsh side was eventually relegated and the 20-year old couldn't inspire anything in 12 appearances he managed. However, he missed as many as 25 games with thigh and hamstring issues that compounded his misery.

The only positive here is he's only 20 and can expect plenty of opportunities in future. But for that, Sanches has to rebuild from now.

#4 Nelson Semedo (Barcelona)

Semedo's debut season has been far from straightforward

The defender's successful 2016/17 campaign that culminated in the 'Breakthrough Player of the Year' award in the Portuguese league convinced Barcelona to splash €30.5 million in his acquisition. He even made a good start to life in Catalonia when he drew plaudits for his performance in the 3-0 vanquish of Juventus in the Champions League.

However, he did not build on that promise and seems to have gone down a level since he returned from an injury-hit spell. Semedo has looked lost in the backline, leaving acres of space at the back and lacking any sort of communication with his counterparts. He's also seen giving away possession far too easily.

The recent loss to Levante was a nightmare for the right-back as he was culpable for some of the goals conceded. The recurring injuries may have kept him from attaining stability, but it didn't deter him from winning 53% of his duels and also maintain 86% passing accuracy.

But Cedric Soares, who endured greater struggles with Southampton in trying to avoid relegation, was selected and is a likely starter in the right full-back position.

#3 Andre Gomes (Barcelona)

Gomes has consistently disappointed with Barcelona

Another Barcelona player to be axed, Gomes, in two years with the club, is yet to impress. It was his eye-catching exploits with Portugal at the Euro 2016 that earned him a lucrative €35 million transfer, but it has all gone downhill from there.

The 24-year old has been a far cry of his superb self when at Valencia. His first touches have let him down while his passes look rather laboured. He's won only 41% of his duels but committed 76% of the 21 fouls associated with him. Matters got so bad that the player himself admitted to going through "hell" at one point, while the boos and jeers from the fans completely knocked the stuffing out of him.

Injuries further compounded his misery, as he sustained as many as 4 bouts of it in this season alone, missing a total of 8 games. And he's yet to score a single goal or an assist this season.

There was no chance of him making it to the World Cup. Yet, it was baffling to see Santos include him even in the provisional squad.

#2 Nani (Lazio)

A move to Lazio hasn't resurrected Nani's faltering career

Nani has found the going to be tough since the conclusion of Euro 2016. A fine season with Fenerbahce earned him a move to Valencia where he was way below his best. Recurring injuries and limited first-team opportunities culminated in a loan move to Lazio last summer, and things went from bad to worse.

He doesn't seem to fit anywhere in Simone Inzaghi's preferred 3-5-1-1 formation, and has started just 2 games all season! But he has scored and assisted thrice each - not so bad figures considering he also picked up injuries on 7 different occasions in this season alone!

But, it may have fallen short of impressing the Portuguese gaffer, or maybe he didn't want to take a risk with his erratic health record. Either way, Nani has now missed his last chance to appear in a World Cup as he's already 31, and the emergence of younger talents will further trim his chances.

#1 Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow)

No magic from the bench by Eder in Russia

How times change. The scorer of the most significant goal in the history of Portugal won't even be on the bench in Russia! But somewhere down the line, this was coming. Eder played just once for Portugal in 2017, and could also do little with his club Lokomotiv Moscow.

Blighted by injuries, Eder could partake in only 18 league games, starting just 9 of those and scoring 4 times. In fact, it all started going downhill for him since the crowning moment in Paris. He endured a difficult season with Ligue 1 side Lille, where his poor form saw him strike just 7 times in 37 appearances, before being loaned out to the Moscow outfit.

Even then, Eder has continued to struggle and manager Santos must have decided his fate months before announcing the squad.