Cristiano Ronaldo and im Portugal compatriots begin dia World Cup adventure when dem face DR Congo for the first time on Wednesday. Di reigning UEFA Nations League champions neva win World Cup before and dem dey seek to secure di crown for di legendary Ronaldo at im sixth and final tournament.
Despite justifiable scrutiny over im effectiveness at di elite level these days, di 41-year-old go lead di line against DR Congo and beyond. Fortunately, Ronaldo dey surrounded by world-class players, especially for Portugal midfield, and Roberto Martínez appear unlikely to spring any shocks with im first lineup of di tournament.
Here be who di Spaniard fit select for Houston. RB: João Cancelo—Cancelo, who remain high on Barcelona transfer wishlist after a successful loan spell at Camp Nou, go dey tasked with providing offensive support from right back. CB: Rúben Dias—Dias no be di impenetrable colossus wey im once be when first appearing for Manchester City and Portugal, but im leadership qualities dey speak for themselves.
CB: Gonçalo Inácio—Di Sporting CP defender go dey tasked with containing Yoane Wissa and/or Cédric Bakambu at di NRG Stadium—a job wey im suppose dey more than capable of doing. LB: Nuno Mendes—Di marauding Paris Saint-Germain left back go dey integral to Portugal breaking through a stubborn and deep-lying DR Congo defense. Mendes get di capacity to create overloads with im powerful forward forays.
DM: Vitinha—Di world best holding midfielder go strut im stuff as im enter di World Cup off di back of another Champions League-winning campaign with PSG. Portugal need im incisive passing on Wednesday. DM: João Neves—Having formed an incredible partnership at PSG, Neves and Vitinha don become di best double pivot for di competition.
RW: Bernardo Silva—Rafael Leão daft sending off against Chile pre-World Cup fit just don cement Silva place for di team. Im guile, technical brilliance and versatility dey invaluable to Portugal, allowing for swift rotations and di bombing on of Cancelo down di right. AM: Bruno Fernandes—After producing 21 Premier League assists last season, Fernandes dey understandably viewed as Portugal chief creator. Di 31-year-old dey at di peak of im powers and fit carry im country to di title dis summer.
LW: Pedro Neto—Neto don struggle for front of goal with Chelsea over di past six months, but a strike for Portugal warm-up friendly win over Nigeria go do im confidence di world of good. ST: Cristiano Ronaldo—Dere only one mission for Ronaldo for North America: win di World Cup. Adding to im record 143 international goal tally go be a lovely bonus.
