Portugal coach Paulo Bento writes World Cup squad on a napkin; leaves it in restaurant

Surprise? Surprise? Well.. not anymore

Portugal boss Paulo Bento has come under fire just two months ahead of the World Cup, after scribbling down his 23-man squad on a napkin and leaving it in a restaurant.

Reports suggest that, Bento was in an Italian restaurant located in Estoril on Friday evening with some of his friends. The meeting then soon turned towards the summer’s tournament in Brazil. The napkin revealed the Portuguese’s 23 man squad as well as his regularly played 4-3-3 formation.

Here’s how the starting XI could look like when they play against Germany on June 16:

Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao; Raul Meireles, Fernando, Joao Moutinho; Nani, Helder Postiga, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester City’s transfer target Fernando’s inclusion in starting XI is still the most curious part. The midfield dynamo is Brazilian, but has recently taken Portugese citizenship. Fernando also seems to have been chosen over 46-cap Miguel Veloso.

William Carvalho, Ruben Amorim, Silvestre Varela and Ricardo Quaresma are some other names that are included in Paulo Bento’s 23-man squad to represent Portugual in the FIFA WC 14.

Portugal will go up against football giants Germany in their first match in the World Cup. The group also includes Ghana and United States.

However, this entire episode turned out to be an April Fools’ Day prank by a Portuguese newspaper.