World Cup

Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches left out of provisional World Cup squad

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 15 May 2018

Bayern Munich midfielder and Swansea City loanee Renato Sanches misses out on a place in Portugal's 35-player preliminary World Cup squad.

Renato Sanches has failed to make Portugal's provisional squad for the 2018 World Cup.

The 20-year-old spent the season on loan at Swansea City from Bayern Munich, but failed to prevent the Welsh club being relegated from the Premier League.

Sanches was named Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2016 as the Iberian nation triumphed in France but has seen his career stall since departing Benfica two years ago.

Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is included in Fernando Santos's roster alongside Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva of Leicester City, and Southampton's Cedric Soares.

Other players who ply their trade in England include West Ham United midfielder Joao Mario and Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Ruben Neves.

Santos will cut his 35-man squad down to 23 in the coming days as the European champions aim to emulate neighbours Spain in 2010 by winning the subsequent World Cup.

Portugal and Spain have been drawn together in Group B, along with Morocco and Iran.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Defenders: Antunes (Getafe), Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Joao Cancelo (Inter Milan), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Luis Neto (Fenerbahce), Mario Rui (Napoli), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (Porto), Rolando (Marseille), Ruben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City), Andre Gomes (Barcelona), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Mario (West Ham), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Sergio Oliveira (Porto), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)

Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gelson Martins (Sporting Lisbon), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Nani (Lazio), Paulinho (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas), Ronny Lopes (Monaco)