Santos names 35-man preliminary Portugal squad

21-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves, who helped Wolverhampton Wanderers gain promotion to the Premier League this year, is included in the preliminary squad.

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal coach Fernando Santos on Tuesday named a 35-man preliminary squad for the forthcoming World Cup in Russia.

Real Madrid forward and the reigning Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the side out when the tournament kicks-off. From the EURO 2016 winning squad, only 16 have made the cut.

The 2016 final's match-winner Eder is currently plying his trade with Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow. The 21-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves, who helped Wolverhampton Wanderers gain promotion to the Premier League this year, has made the preliminary squad.

Renato Sanches, who was named the young player of the tournament at the EUROs and the recipient of the 2016 Golden Boy award, failed to earn a recall after an ordinary spell with relegated Swansea City.

Portugal is pooled alongside Spain, Morocco and Iran in Group B.