Ronaldo returns to Portugal team for World Cup qualifying doubleheader
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named to the Portugal national team for a pair of upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures, returning to the fold after picking up a knee injury in the final of Euro 2016.
The iconic Real Madrid man made his return from injury earlier in the month and took little time to find his scoring feet, finding the back of the net within six minutes of his La Liga debut for the 2016-17 season.
He was instrumental in Real Madrid's recent Champions League tilt against Borussia Dortmund, scoring a go-ahead goal that was cancelled out in an eventual 2-2 draw.
Portugal manager Fernando Santos is hoping for more of the same from Ronaldo in World Cup qualifying, especially since Portugal sits bottom of Group B after losing to Switzerland to start the campaign.
"This group is stronger of course with Cristiano Ronaldo in it, but also because all the other players have had more playing time (since the Switzerland loss)," Santos said, according to Sky Sports.
Whilst Ronaldo's return is the biggest story of this recent round of call-ups, Santos also granted a nod to 21-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins, who has represented the Selecao in various youth teams but has yet to make his senior national team debut.
Portugal hosts Andorra on Oct. 7, before facing the Faroe Islands three day later.
Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Marafona (Braga)
Defenders: Antunes (Dynamo Kiev), Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Joao Cancelo (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Sporting), William Carvalho (Sporting), Andre Gomes (Barcelona), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), Joao Mario (Inter Milan), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Bayern)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Andre Silva (FC Porto), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Eder (Lille), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Nani (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)