Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto and Nelson Semedo were the surprises of the 26 men called up to the national team.

Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto and Nelson Semedo were the surprises in Portuguese football coach Roberto Martinez’s 26-man squad for the final stage of the 2024 European Championship scheduled for Germany.

Three players were selected at the expense of Rafael Guerreiro, Matheus Nunez and Toti Gomes.

Martinez also did not introduce any new additions to the roster, which includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, including four full-backs and five centre-backs, seven midfielders and seven strikers – all of whom are already deployed by the Spanish coach.

Cristiano Ronaldo, first in his sixth European Championship (since 2004) and holder of the record for most appearances (25), goals (14) and wins (12) in finals, and Pepe, 41, who is vying for the title of oldest ever -or used, lead the team.

Among those chosen are the remaining committed candidates such as Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, while Pedro Gonçalves, Ricardo Horta, Francisco Trincao, Bruma or Jota Silva remained on the sidelines.

Martinez selected Diogo Costa, Rui Patricio and Jose Sa in goal, along with defenders Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes and Nelson Semedo, and central players Ruben Dias, Antonio Silva, Pepe, Goncalo Inacio and the versatile Danilo Pereira.

In midfield the options are Palinha, Joao Neves, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Otavio and Vitinha, while in attack there will be Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonçalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Rafael Lean, Diogo Jota, Francisco Conceicao and Pedro Neto. .

Martinez’s list includes only four European champions from 2016, namely Cristiano Ronaldo (fifth European, since 2004), Rui Patricio and Pepe (both fourth, since 2008) and Danilo Pereira (third, since 2016).

As for Euro 2020, which will take place in 2021, there are 14 repeaters, four champions, as well as Nelson Semedo, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Palinha, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Diogo Dalot, who replaced Joao Cancelo, is ruled out due to a positive test for Covid-19.

Before Euro 2004, the Kinas squad will still play three friendly matches in June, all on Portuguese soil, against Finland (04, at the José Alvalade Stadium), Croatia (08, at the National Stadium) and the Republic of Ireland (11, in Aveiro).

In the final stage, which will take place from June 14 to July 14, Portugal is in Group F along with the Czech Republic (June 18, in Leipzig), Turkey (22, in Dortmund) and Georgia (26, in Gelsenkirchen). .

The Portuguese team will be at the final stage of the European Championship for the ninth time after being crowned champions in 2016, finishing second in 2004, third in 1984, 2000 and 2012, and relegated fourth in 1996 and 2008 and in the “eighth” in 2020.