Ronaldo leads Portgual squad to face Gabon

LISBON (AFP) – Portugal coach Paulo Bento included Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in his squad to travel to Gabon for next Wednesday’s friendly while Manchester United winger Nani misses out with injury.

Sporting Braga striker Helder Barbosa comes in for Nani who is sidelined along with defender Fabio Coentrao and midfielder Raul Meireles for the trip to the country that co-hosted the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Returning to Bento’s 23-player squad are striker Hugo Almeida of Besiktas as well as Atletico Madrid defender Silvio and Valencia’s Ricardo Costa while there is also a recall for Olympiakos midfielder Paulo Machado.

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Eduardo (Istanbul BB/TUR), Beto (Sporting Braga)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Zenit St-Petersburg/RUS), Joao Pereira (Valencia/ESP), Pepe (Real Madrid/ESP), Luis Neto (Siena/ITA), Nelson (Real Betis/ESP), Ricardo Costa (Valencia/ESP), Silvio (Atletico Madrid/ESP).

Midfielders: Custodio (Sporting Braga), Joao Moutinho (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Paulo Machado (Olympiakos/GRE), Ruben Micael (Sporting Braga), Ruben Amorim (Sporting Braga)

Strikers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas/TUR), Helder Barbosa (Sporting Braga), Helder Postiga (Real Zaragoza/ESP), Pizzi (Deportivo La Coruna/ESP), Varela (Porto), Eder (Sporting Braga)