Portugal manager Paulo Bento unveiled his final 23-man squad for next month's World Cup in Brazil, with reigning Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo headlining a team that will be looking to banish its reputation as perennial underachievers.
Of note, Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma was one of the seven players cut from the provisional 30-man roster, meaning the veteran misses out on his third consecutive World Cup tournament after also being left off of his country's 2006 and 2010 squads.
If only he was a striker. Alas, such is the fate of a winger in Portugal, playing behind the likes of Ronaldo, Nani and Varela.
Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, defenders Altunes and Rolando, midfielders Joao Mario and Andre Gomes and forward Rafa were also left disappointed.
No Quaresma! Have to say I love Rafa & Éder picks. Not sure I'd have picked Vierinha in front of Cigano, but he did well in qualification.
— Tom Kundert (@Portu_Goal) May 19, 2014
Here is the final squad:
Goalkeepers
Beto (Sevilha), Eduardo (SC Braga), Rui Patrício (Sporting)
Defenders
André Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid), João Pereira (Valência), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valência)
Midfielders
João Moutinho (Mónaco), Miguel Veloso (D. Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahçe), Rúben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting), Rafa (SC Braga)
Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (SC Braga), Hélder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
Portugal will compete in Group G at next month's competition, alongside Germany, Ghana and the United States.
