Renato Sanches breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s long standing Portugal record
Renato Sanches, who is just 18 years old, has shattered Cristiano Ronaldo’s long standing 12-year-old record of being the youngest footballer to be called up by Portugal for a major tournament. Ronaldo had set this record by entering the Euro 2004 with Portugal, when he was 19 years and four months old.
On the other hand, Sanches is only 18 years and 10 months old. He was chosen in the Portuguese squad for the Euro 2016 on Tuesday. The young Portuguese had only two caps for the national team, but his incredible performances for Benfica, that sealed him a move to Bayern Munich, have also earned him a spot in the national team.
Sanches earned the spot after Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva was injured last weekend. Striker Danny and full-back Fabio Coentrao have also been ruled out due to long-term injuries.
Renato Sanches has had a truly magnificent break-through season with Benfica having scored two goals in the process. Last week, he signed a bumper contract with Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, who also snapped Mats Hummels shortly afterwards.
Also Read: 8 things you didn't know about Bayern Munich's signing Renato Sanches
Some also say that the midfielder is the next best thing to happen to Portugal after Cristiano Ronaldo. He is known as a dynamic, combative and skillful midfielder by Bayern Munich’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Portugal play a series of friendlies against Norway, England and Estonia before heading out to France for the Euro Championships. Portugal have never won any silverware despite producing some of the best players in Europe, with them coming closest to winning the Euro 2004 where they lost in the final to Greece.
Portugal squad for UEFA EURO 2016
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting CP), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dínamo Zagreb).
Defenders: Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Cédric (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient).
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Danilo Pereira (Porto), João Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Benfica), Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valencia), João Mário (Sporting CP).
Forwards: Rafa Silva (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Beikta), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille).
Portugal are in Group F of the Euros, where they will be pitched against Iceland, Austria and Hungary. The Portuguese National Team had a very good Euro 2012 campaign, where they were beaten by eventual winners Spain in the semi-finals.
The match was goalless for 120 minutes and was decided on penalties, where Spain won with a 2-4 scoreline. Cristiano Ronaldo ended the tournament as joint top scorer with 3 goals.