The announcement of Portugal’s squad for the UEFA Nations League “Final Four” has sparked widespread discussion, primarily due to the inclusion of two players from vastly different generations—40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and 18-year-old rising star Rodrigo Mora.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez has named a 27-man final squad for the tournament, which will be held in Germany. Among the selected players is FC Porto’s attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora, who made his senior debut this season and has already tallied 10 goals and 4 assists in 23 league appearances.
Speaking about Mora, Martínez said:
“Just talking about Rodrigo Mora brings a smile to my face. I believe this kid is going to define a new era in Portuguese football.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead the attack, with Mora likely playing just behind him—an exciting prospect for fans eager to see the chemistry between the legendary veteran and the teenage prodigy. Remarkably, when Ronaldo made his international debut in 2003, Mora hadn’t even been born. Yet now, over two decades later, the two will share the pitch in the same Portugal jersey.
Elsewhere in the squad, Benfica center-back Tomás Araújo has been left out due to injury. Sporting CP’s key players Giovanni Quenda (winger) and Eduardo Quaresma (defender) were also omitted.
However, Sporting midfielder Pedro Gonçalves has been recalled. He scored in the title-clinching match against Vitória on the final day of the season.
Portugal will face tournament hosts Germany in the semifinals on June 4 in Munich. The other semifinal pits France against Spain. The final and third-place match will take place on June 8.
UA / TDS
