Footballer Bruno Fernandes will wear Portugal’s number 8 shirt during the 2022 World Cup, inheriting the number worn by the absent João Moutinho in the last five major international competitions, according to the list released by FIFA on Tuesday.
Given the absence of the veteran Wolverhampton midfielder, who has worn the ‘8’ consecutively since Euro 2012, the Manchester United player, who will play in the second World Cup, will wear on his ‘back’ the number he has used most during throughout his career, made an exception in the national team, in which he was split between 16, in Russia 2018, and 11, in Euro2020.
In addition, 10 of the 15 ‘resistant’ players who played at the European Championship last year, 10 keep their ‘backs’: Rui Patrício (1), Pepe (3), Rúben Dias (4), Raphaël Guerreiro (5), Cristiano Ronaldo ( 7), André Silva (9), Bernardo Silva (10), Danilo Pereira (13), William Carvalho (14), Rúben Neves (18).
João Cancelo, who ultimately missed the continental competition due to the coronavirus infection, retains the ’20’ he was assigned at the time, before being replaced by Diogo Dalot, who now has the ‘2’ that was Nelson Semedo.
In addition to Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, Palhinha and João Félix also changed numbers. The Paris Saint-Germain winger will use the ’19’ that belonged to Pedro Goncalves, the Fulham midfielder will use Jose Fonte’s ‘6’ and the Atlético de Madrid striker will inherit Bruno Fernandes’ ’11’.
Among the novelties on the list, goalkeeper José Sá inherited the ’12’ from Anthony Lopes, Rafael Leão the ’15’ from Rafa, Vitinha the ’16’ from Renato Sanches – his teammate at Paris Saint-Germain -, João Mário the ’17 ‘ by Gonçalo Guedes, Ricardo Horta de ’21’ by Diogo Jota, Diogo Costa de ’22’ by Rui Silva, Matheus Nunes de ’23’ by João Félix, António Silva de ’24’ by Sérgio Oliveira, Otávio de ’25’ by Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Ramos the ’26’ of Palhinha.
The new ‘dorsals’ will make their debut on Thursday at 6.45 pm in the friendly match against Nigeria in Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
Portugal are in Group H of the World Cup, making their debut against Ghana on November 24, before playing Uruguay on November 28 and Paulo Bento’s South Korea on December 2.
The 22nd edition of the World Cup starts on Sunday, with the game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, for group A, and ends on December 18.
– The number of Portuguese players in Mundial2022:
1. Rui Patricio.
2. Diogo Dalot.
3. Pepe.
4. Reuben Dias.
5. Raphael warrior.
6. João Palhinha.
7.Cristiano Ronaldo.
8. Bruno Fernandes.
9. Andre Silva.
10. Bernardo Silva.
11. Joao Felix.
12. Jose Sa.
13. Danielo Pereira.
14.William Carvalho.
15. Rafael Leao
16. Vitina.
17. João Mario.
18. Ruben Neves.
19. Nuno Mendes.
20. Joao Cancelo.
21.Ricardo Horta.
22. Diogo Costa.
23. Matthew Nunes.
24.Antonio Silva.
25. Octavian.
26. Goncalo Ramos.
Source: DN
