As Cristiano Ronaldo declares himself fit for Portugal’s clash against Ghana

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself fit and ready for Thursday’s World Cup 2022 Group H opener with Ghana at Stadium 974 in Doha, Ben Knapton writes for Sports Mole.

Amid intense speculation surrounding his Old Trafford future, the Manchester United man missed last week’s friendly win over Nigeria due to illness. Still, he told reporters earlier this week that he is fully recovered.

Fernando Santos has affirmed that Ronaldo must earn his place in the XI like every other player, but it would be a massive shock not to see the 37-year-old spearhead the attack this week.

Ronaldo will expect to be supported by Bernardo Silva on the right. At the same time, in-demand AC Milan starlet Rafael Leao can feel confident about fending off Joao Felix and Otavio to complete the attacking trident.

Bruno Fernandes came up with a first-half brace in the recent win over Nigeria. He should headline a midfield comprised of Ruben Neves and William Carvalho as Danilo Pereira and Matheus Nunes warm the bench.

Pereira can fill in at the back, but 39-year-old veteran Pepe should link arms with Ruben Dias as a man 20 years his junior, Antonio Silva, drops down to the bench.

Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro hope to come up trumps in the intense battle for full-back spots with Diogo Dalot and Nuno Mendes. At the same time, Diogo Costa has seemingly taken over first-choice duties from 105-cap veteran Rui Patricio.

Portugal’s possible starting lineup: Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Neves, Carvalho, Fernandes; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Leao