Portugal's squad for the 2024 European Championship, to be held in Germany from June 14 to July 14, will be announced in just five days, so possible 'drafts' by Roberto Martínez are already beginning to be drawn up regarding the choice of the 26 players (previously, the limit was 23).

Not anticipating any injury scenario given the range of options observed by the national coach, there are names that seem almost certain in the next squad and others that oscillate between doubt and dreams, and there is still a short list of players who will hardly (not to say that it is impossible) have a place in Euro'2024.

Cristiano Ronaldo is, indisputably, one of the players who will be part of the 'carriage' assembled by Roberto Martínez, to which are added other Portuguese internationals widely used by the Spanish coach since he debuted in the 'quinas' team, in March 2023.

Portugal intends to correct the disappointment caused by the elimination in the 'quarterfinals' of the World Cup in Qatar, against Morocco, with the ambition, this time in a European Championship, to repeat the feat of 2016. © Getty Images  

Who is (practically) certain?

Starting with the goal, Diogo Costa and Rui Patrício will be, from the start, obvious bets for Euro'2024, to which José Sá should be added. In defense, the central defenders should be Pepe, Rúben Dias, António Silva and Gonçalo Inácio, while on the sides could be Diogo Dalot, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes and Raphael Guerreiro - although the latter is still recovering from injury.

From the midfield sector onwards, there is the doubt whether Roberto Martínez bets on nine midfielders and six forwards or on eight midfielders and seven attackers, although all this remains in the squad. Danilo Pereira, for example, is one of the players who can be used both as a midfielder or as a central defender, and in a more defensive approach, João Palhinha and Rúben Neves are positioned as the strongest names. In addition to these, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves and Otávio Monteiro are also highly resonant names to complete the core, not forgetting, of course, Bernardo Silva.

In the offensive chapter, in addition to CR7, players such as Rafael Leão, João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos seem to have a 'face' place, in a range that will be complete with those who can still aim for the remaining vacancies, according to the tactical nuances foreseen by the national coach.

Who can dream?

Although José Sá is seen as Roberto Martínez's 'number 3' for the goal, there are goalkeepers such as Samuel Soares and Celton Biai who have even been integrated and, naturally, will remain in anticipation. In the defensive sector, Toti Gomes may surprise again, not forgetting the names of João Mário, Nélson Semedo, Diogo Leite or Nuno Santos as alternatives to possible forced absences.

In the core, Matheus Nunes could perfectly integrate Roberto Martínez's squad, as well as William Carvalho, while in the front of the attack, Francisco Conceição, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (who has been talking a lot to convince the 50-year-old coach), Jota Silva, Ricardo Horta, Dany Mota and Bruma have conditions to dream, given the sporting success achieved in recent months, in their respective clubs.

Who will not have a place?

It is always complex to put an 'X' on someone, since football is a moment and, in the blink of an eye, everything can change, however, evaluating the 14 months of work of Fernando Santos' successor, names such as Ricardo Velho or Matheus Magalhães should not be among his options, in a list that also includes Luis Maximiano, Rui Silva and Anthony Lopes. Still in defense, but more towards the front of the posts, Mário Rui, Ricardo Pereira, Cédric Soares and Eduardo Quaresma will hardly leave the usual list of pre-call-ups.

Advancing to the center of the field, the experienced João Moutinho is likely to be joined by Fábio Vieira, Daniel Bragança and Florentino Luís in the list of midfielders who should watch Euro'2024 on television. Already climbing a few more meters, Gonçalo Guedes, André Silva, Beto and Paulinho (despite the countless attempts) should have the same fate as Diogo Jota and Pedro Neto, both absent due to injury.