Unlike most of national team coaches, Portugal boss Roberto Martínez didn’t beat around the bush and announced the 26 players he will take to Germany. The Spanish coach drew a line. He’s not waiting for anyone, nor is he giving false hope. Everyone had enough time and opportunity to prove themselves in the previous windows. He made a mix of several generations. There’s room for veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and the 41-year-old warrior Pepe. They will be leaders, along with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leão, who are in their prime. But, there will also be space for younger players. However, the veterans still will ‘call the shots’. As long as they continue to play as they do, no matter where in the world, there will be a place for them in the national team. Eis os convocados de Portugal para o Euro 2024 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/EiKmA6JZ8j— B24 (@B24PT) May 21, 2024 Age doesn’t matter; the best example is Pepe. Approaching his fifth decade, he remains a defensive pillar and is expected to maintain that role alongside Rúben Dias.“We have a very interesting locker room, with players from different generations. Names like Cristiano and Pepe are from a different generation compared to Bernardo and Rúben Dias, or João Neves and António Silva. Pepe’s role in the national team is important because of the way he represents the team. Football is a constant battle, and it was interesting to watch Pepe during the two matches in March where the defense remained unbreached. When he is ready, he is very important for us, not just because of his play but also because of how he communicates and positions himself” said Portugal’s coach. 🇵🇹🔝 Pepe, 41-years-old, called up to Portugal’s EURO 2024 squad! ✨He made 34 appearances this season for Porto… one more cup final left against Sporting soon. Simply great longevity at the top level. 👏 pic.twitter.com/b2VSuWKHij— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 21, 2024 Roberto Martínez included António Silva, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Ramos, and also Gonçalo Inácio, the only member from the championship team of Sporting Lisbon, in the final squad. There was also room for Porto’s forward Francisco Conceição. The reward has come for an excellent second half of the season. Through hard work in training during the national team camp in March, and his performance against Slovenia, the winger ‘won over’ Roberto Martínez.The Portuguese coach aimed to have different player profiles for what he needed in the group-stage matches. Left out were Raphael Guerreiro, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves, and Francisco Trincão. He also did not have room for Ricardo Horta, about whom he had the most doubts.“I don’t like to talk about specific names, but I think we should talk about a player who is hard to leave out, and that is Ricardo Horta. Technically and tactically, he is a dream for a coach. But there are other players we need for what we want to do against the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia. He did everything to be on the list. We value tactical flexibility, we have experienced players, and I think this mix of players is perfect,” emphasized Roberto Martínez.##NAJAVA_MECA_8117669##
