Cristiano Ronaldo left out of Portugal squad
Friday 26 August 2016 15:59, UK
Portugal will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for their upcoming games against Gibraltar and Switzerland.
The Real Madrid forward only returned to training with his club last weekend after injuring his knee in Portugal's victory over France in the Euro 2016 final.
The 31-year-old is therefore not yet fit enough to captain Portugal and will remain with his club as he continues his recovery.
Apart from Ronaldo, coach Fernando Santos has made two other changes from the Euro 2016 squad, leaving out injured Wolfsburg defender Vieirinha and veteran central defender Ricardo Carvalho, who has no club.
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Porto striker Andre Silva and Valencia defender Joao Cancelo have earned their first call-ups, while Monaco striker Bernardo Silva returns after missing Euro 2016.
"The clubs are only just starting their championships and this is an unusual phase of the season," Santos said.
"My choice was to maintain the base of the final stages of the European Championship, apart from the ones who are medically not in shape.
"The national team is never closed to any player. There are other options who could be here but aren't today."
Portugal will host Gibraltar in a friendly in Porto on Thursday September 1 before travelling to Basel to take on Switzerland in their opening World Cup qualifier on Tuesday September 6.
Portugal squad:
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Chelsea), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon).
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Cedric (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Joao Cancelo (Valencia), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Luis Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund).
Midfielders: Adrien (Sporting Lisbon), Andre Gomes (Barcelona), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), Joao Mario (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon).
Forwards: Andre Silva (FC Porto), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Eder (Lille), Nani (Valencia), Rafa Silva (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).
