Rui Jorge also announces U21 Euro 2015 squad
Seleção coach Fernando Santos has given his strongest sign yet that the long-awaited renewal of the senior Portuguese national team is in full swing.
Daniel Carriço (pictured), Bernardo Silva, Danilo Pereira, André André and Pizzi are all rewarded for excellent seasons at their club sides by making the squad for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Armenia and the friendly international against Italy.
Portugal U21 coach Rui Jorge has also named the squad for the European Championships to be played in the Czech Republic later this month.
With regard to the seniors, in contrast to the influx of new blood in defence and midfield, and illustrating the continuing lack of alternatives for the striker position, there are no new names among the forwards, although Silvestre Varela is given a surprise recall.
Also influencing the choice of the 25-man squad is the fact that Portugal will be competing at the U21 Euro later this month, which explains the exclusion of João Mário and Raphael Guerreiro, who will both be key players for the young Seleção side. William Carvalho and Bernardo Silva may also take part in the tournament. They are named in both squads.
Portugal play in Armenia on 13 June, before travelling to Geneva, Switzerland, for a friendly against Italy three days later.
Full senior squad:
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting), Beto (Sevilla), Anthony Lopes (Lyon)
Defenders: Cédric (Sporting), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), José Fonte (Southampton), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Daniel Carriço (Sevilla), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid), Eliseu (Benfica)
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting), Danilo (Marítimo), João Moutinho (Monaco), Tiago (Atlético Madrid), Adrien Silva (Sporting), André André (V. Guimarães), Pizzi (Benfica), Bernardo Silva (Monaco)
Forwards: Danny (Zenit), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Nani (Sporting), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Silvestre Varela (Parma), Éder (Braga).
Portugal U21 coach Rui Jorge’s provisional 25-man squad for the European Championship. The final list will have to be trimmed to 23 players:
Goalkeepers: Varela (Benfica), Daniel Fernandes (VFL Osnabruck), José Sá (Marítimo)
Defenders: Frederico Venâncio (Vit. Setúbal), João Cancelo (Valencia), Paulo Oliveira (Sporting), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Ricardo Esgaio (Académica), Tiago Ilori (Bordeaux), Tobias Figueiredo (Sporting)
Midfielders: Tozé (Estoril), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Bruno Fernandes (Udinese), João Mário (Sporting), Rafa (Braga), Rúben Neves (FC Porto), Rúben Pinto (Paços de Ferreira), Sérgio Oliveira (Paços de Ferreira), William Carvalho (Sporting)
Forwards: Carlos Mané (Sporting), Gonçalo Paciência (FC Porto), Iuri Medeiros (Arouca), Ivan Cavaleiro (Dep. Coruna), Ricardo Pereira (FC Porto), Ricardo Horta (Malaga)
by Tom Kundert
