Cristiano Ronaldo headlines Portugal's World Cup 2018 squad, Renato Sanches left out

Portugal have released the 35-man preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2018. While Cristiano Ronaldo headlines the squad, Swansea flop Renato Sanches misses out for Portugal.

Sanches played six games as an 18-year-old in France as Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal bagged their first-ever international title. The midfielder was named European golden boy in Euro 2016 but his extraordinary downfall since then means he will not play any party in manager Fernando Santos’ squad for the World Cup finals.

Selecao skipper Ronaldo was named with veteran Ricardo Quaresma in the squad.

Ronaldo is unlikely to take part for Portugal in a friendly against Tunisia on May 28, which is just two days after Real Madrid’s Champions League final against Liverpool.

Portugal will start their World Cup dreams in Group B at the World Cup against Spain on June 15, followed by group stage matches against Morocco on June 20 and Iran on June 25.

Coach Fernando Santos is expected to name his final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2018 in the next few days.

Portugal 35-man preliminary squad in full: 

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patrício (Sporting)

Defenders: Antunes (Getafe), Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cédric Soares (Southampton), João Cancelo (Inter), José Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Luís Neto (Fenerbahçe), Mário Rui (Nápoles), Nélson Semedo (Barcelona), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (FC Porto), Rolando (Marselha) e Rúben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester), João Moutinho (Mónaco), André Gomes (Barcelona), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), João Mário (West Ham), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv), Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton), Sérgio Oliveira (FC Porto), William Carvalho (Sporting)

Forwards: André Silva (Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lokomotiv), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Gonçalo Guedes (Valência), Nani (Lazio), Paulinho (SC Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas), Ronny Lopes (Mónaco)