Former Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches who is just 18 years old has broken Cristiano Ronaldo’s 12 year old record to become the youngest player to be called up for Portugal football team to feature in an international competition.
Ronaldo was 19 years and four months old when he had entered the record books by featuring in Portugal’s Euro 2004 campaign. However Renato Sanches is 18 years and 10 months old and his dazzling performance for Benfica this season have not only earned him a move to Bayern Munich but also a place in the national team for this year’s Euro Cup campaign this summer in France.
Sanches was on the priority list of many clubs and was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford. However Bayern Munich had the last smile as Sanches snubbed the Red Devils and joined hands with the German giants for 35 million euros ($39.4 million) plus 45 million euros ($50.7 million) in variables.
The build up to Portugal’s Euro campaign will see them featuring in a series of friendlies against Norway, England and Estonia. The 2004 Euro campaign for Portugal was the most successful till date. They reached the finals but lost to Greece.
Portugal squad for UEFA EURO 2016
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting CP), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dínamo Zagreb).
Defenders: Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Cédric (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient).
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Danilo Pereira (Porto), João Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Benfica), Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valencia), João Mário (Sporting CP).
Forwards: Rafa Silva (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Beikta), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille).
