Sanches included in Portugal Euro squad

Lisbon (AFP) – Bayern Munich-bound starlet Renato Sanches was included in the 23-man Portugal squad for Euro 2016 named by coach Fernando Santos on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old Sanches will move to Bayern this summer for an initial 35 million euros ($39.6m, £27.4m) from Benfica after an outstanding breakthrough season with the Portuguese champions and he has been rewarded for his form with a place in the national squad.

There is no place in the squad for veteran Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago Mendes, who has missed much of the season with a broken leg, while Monaco’s Bernardo Silva misses out after suffering a thigh injury.

Santos can still modify his squad up to the May 31 deadline imposed by UEFA.

Portugal are in Group F at the European Championship along with Austria, Hungary and Iceland.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting), Anthony Lopes (Lyon/FRA), Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb/CRO)

Defenders: Cedric Soares (Southampton/ENG), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg/GER), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe/TUR), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco/FRA), José Fonte (Southampton/ENG), Pepe (Real Madrid/ESP), Eliseu (Benfica), Raphaël Guerreiro (Lorient/FRA)

Midfielders: Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), William Carvalho (Sporting), Adrien Silva (Sporting), Joao Mario (Sporting), Joao Moutinho (Monaco/FRA), André Gomes (Valencia/ESP), Renato Sanches (Benfica)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Nani (Fenerbahçe/TUR), Eder (Lille/FRA – on loan from Swansea City/ENG), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas/TUR), Rafa Silva (Braga)