With a couple of semi-finals and a runners-up spot in the last four editions of the European Championships, Portugal, once again, start as the dark horses of the 2016 edition of the coveted intra-continental football tournament that kicks off in France later this week. To be honest, the south-western European country is an enigma of sorts. When you hear their name, you instinctively want to tout them as one of the favorites, however, in the last couple of editions, they have always managed to fizzle out right at the business end of the tournament thus disappointing millions of their fans all across the globe.
Will this year be any different for Portugal? Will the heavy reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately pay off? Or will the ‘Men in Maroon and Green’ bow out of the tournament earlier than expected? Only time will tell. Let us take a look at Portugal’s Probable XI for the 2016 UEFA Euros for now:
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Lopes (Lyon) and Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Cedric (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid) and Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), Andre Gomes (Valencia), Danilo (Porto), Joao Marlo (Sporting CP), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Rafa Silva (Braga), Renato Sanchez (Benfica), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg) and William Carvalho (Sporting CP).
Forwards: Eder (LOSC), Nani (Fenerbahce), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).
Goalkeeper
The 28-year-old Sporting CP goalie, Rui Patricio will undoubtedly be the Portuguese manager, Fernando Santos’ first choice goalkeeper for the upcoming Euros. Having earned his first international cap back in 2010, Patricio has already featured in 44 matches for Portugal.
Patricio who has represented his country in the 2014 FIFA World Cup along with three European Championships is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the 2016 edition of the UEFA Euro. Having made 30 appearances for his club this season (in all competitions), the 28-year-old goalkeeper had shown an abundance of calm and composure in front of the goal.
Rui Patricio’s form has to be absolutely top notch if Portugal is to garner any success in the 2016 Euros.
Defenders:
The Portuguese manager, Fernando Santos in most probability will field a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-2 formation which means that the ‘Men in Maroon and Green’ will have to include a couple of central defenders and a couple of full-backs in their first XI, at all times. Real Madrid centre-back, Pepe is one of the stars of the Portuguese national side and is certain to start for them. Love him or hate him, but one certainly cannot deny the fact that Pepe is a top quality centre-back who has the potential to lead his fellow defending comrades.
Former Real Madrid centre-back who now plays Monaco, Ricardo Carvalho should start alongside Pepe if everything goes right. Having made his international debut back in 2003, Ricardo Carvalho has not only earned 85 for Portugal but is the heart of Portuguese defense alongside Pepe.
The VfL Wolfsburg full-back, Vieirinha is most likely to resume his defensive duties for Portugal on the right flank later this summer. The 30-year-old Portuguese has an impressive track record at the German club for whom he signed in 2012. Having made his debut for his country back in 2013, Vieirinha has already notched up 21 international caps for Portugal.
Having made his international debut in 2014, Raphael Guerreiro has represented Portugal both in U-21 and Senior level. The 22-year-old left-back has already racked up 10 goals for Lorient in the 102 league appearances that he has made for the French side. Raphael Guerreiro has also sported the Portuguese jersey on six occasions earlier, out of which he had scored in two.
Midfielders:
Joao Moutinho is most likely to lead the Portuguese midfield at the 2016 Euro Championships in France later this summer. An extremely versatile midfielder, Joao Moutinho is a manager's treat since he can play both as a defensive as well as an offensive midfielder and on either flank. The 29-year-old Monaco man has a wealth of experience having featured in 83 matches for Portugal since his debut back in 2005.
William Carvalho might have a slight edge over Danilo to earn a few more international caps for Portugal in France. The 24-year-old Sporting CP midfielder who had made his senior debut for Portugal back in 2013, has already earned 16 international caps.
The 27-year-old Sporting CP midfielder, Adrien Silva would definitely feature in Fernando Santos’ first XI for Portugal later this summer. Having netted 27 league goals for Sporting CP in 140 appearances, Silva is one of the prime contenders for the Portuguese midfield on the right. He has featured in 9 international matches for his country.
Another Sporting CP footballer, Joao Mario is most likely to start for Portugal at the Euros on the left flank. The 23-year-old midfielder who has earned a total of 77 international caps for Portugal at youth level, made his senior debut for the European country back in 2014. Joao Mario has already earned a total of 10 senior caps for his country.
Forwards:
Once Manchester United teammates, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Nani are all set to line-up besides each other at the zenith of Portugal's line-up. The 31-year-old Real Madrid superstar is currently on a high going into the Euros after having won the UEFA Champions League with Los Blancos last month. Ronaldo who netted the qualifying hat-trick against Armenia has made 125 appearances for Portugal.
Former Manchester United footballer, Nani has gone on to become a major hit at Fenerbahce and is all set to fight it out for Portugal in France later this month. The 29-year-old experienced wing has earned 95 international senior caps for his country since his debut in 2006.
In all likelihood, Portugal will line up in their preferred 4-4-2 formation in France:
