Portugal announce 23 man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014; Ricardo Quaresma misses out

Portugal announce their 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Portugal manager Paulo Bento has announced the list of 23 players who will be travelling to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with surprise inclusions such as Benfica’s versatile midfielder André Almeida and Braga’s Rafa surprisingly among them.

Captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has been picked in the squad despite recent injury worries. Though there was a scare, there was no way Ronaldo would not have been named in the squad.

One of the notable exclusions from the churned out 23-man list is FC Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma, who was previously included in the 30-man provisional squad last week.

Promising Sporting Lisbon youngster and reported Manchester United target William Carvalho is another interesting selection by Bento. Manchester United winger Nani has also been named in the squad as he proved his fitness towards the end of the season despite having been injury-prone throughout the year.

Portugal are in Group G with Germany, Ghana and the United States of America, and open their campaign against Germany on the 16th of June.

Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla FC), Rui Patrício (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Eduardo (SC Braga).

Defenders: André Almeida (SL Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe SK), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid CF), Pepe (Real Madrid CF), João Pereira (Valencia CF), Ricardo Costa (Valencia CF), Neto (FC Zenit).

Midfielders: João Moutinho (AS Monaco FC), Miguel Veloso (FC Dynamo Kyiv), Raúl Meireles (Fenerbahçe SK), Rúben Amorim (SL Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Rafa (SC Braga).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF), Éder (SC Braga), Hélder Postiga (SS Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Be?ikta? JK), Nani (Manchester United FC), Silvestre Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (VfL Wolfsburg).