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Portugal which is located at the South West Europe is a well known football team in the world. Although they don’t have remarkable history like Brazil, Argentina or Germany, they still have developed a lot in the recent times. They are one of the strongest and most balanced sides of the recent times. Their improvement in the last few decades has caught the eyes of the football lovers and it has helped them to get so many new fans around the globe. They are known as “A Seleccao das Quinas” and are currently occupying the 3rd position in the FIFA Ranking just behind World Champion Germany and Penta Champions Brazil.
Tournament History : Portugal has appeared in 7 World Cups so far and the upcoming edition in Russia will be their 8th in the biggest football competition of the planet. The very first time Portugal featured in the FIFA WC was back in the 1966 England edition and on that campaign they had done the best result so far in the tournament history as they finished 3rd. In the 2010 South America edition they were eliminated by the campaign’s champion Spain in the round of 16. In the latest edition, the Seleccao das Quinas couldn’t even cross the group round barrier following a big defeat against the Germans.
Recent Results : The biggest success in the Portuguese football history, came in the 2016 UEFA Euro as they marched onto lift the trophy at the France’s capital to grab their maiden title. It was completely an unbelievable achievement for them. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification they topped the Group B ahead of Switzerland as they secured 27 points with the help of 9 victories out of their 10 outings. They had netted 32 goals and digested only 4. They will be in the pot 1 in the draw ceremony at the Moscow.
Story and Strength of the Team : If you ever talk about Portuguese football, you will must talk about Cristiano Ronaldo. The CR7 who is considered as the best footballer ever played for the country due to his achievements. What hasn’t he won? He has got almost everything in his trophy cabinet. With 5 FIFA Best Player of the Year and 4 Golden Shoes, he is considered as one of the greatest of all times which is an incredible achievement. He has won 3 UCL with Real Madrid and 1 with Man Utd. He also kissed the UEFA Euro, the FIFA WC is probably the only thing he couldn’t bag yet and he will certainly put his eyes on that. Portugal also has got the likes of Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Pepe, Nelson Semedo, Bernardo Silva, Adrien Silva, Andre Gomes, Renato Sanches, Eder who all are capable of gifting the country something big once again. The fans will hope that the combination of youth and experienced campaigners will lead them towards destination.
Portugal Possible Squad
Goal Keepers : Rui Patricio, Anthony Lopes, Beto.
Defenders : Nelson Semedo, Pepe, Luis Neto, Raphael Gurreiro, Jose Fonte, Cedric Soares, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao.
Midfielders : Joao Mario, Bernardo Silva, Joao Moutinho, Andre Gomes, William Carvalho, Renato Sanchez, Adrien Silva.
Forwards : Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma, Nani, Andre Silva, Gelson Martins.
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