João Félix picked by Portugal as injured André Silva misses out
Fernando Santos has confirmed André Silva was deemed unfit by Portugal's medical staff, ruling him out of the Nations League Finals.
André Silva missed out on being included in the Portugal squad for the Nations League Finals due to fitness concerns, Fernando Santos has confirmed, paving the way for João Félix to potentially make his senior debut next month.
André Silva's last start was on 19 March
Silva was not included in a 23-man squad for the games on home soil, the striker having not featured for Sevilla since 4 April - a nine-minute appearance as a late sub in the 2-0 league win over Alavés. The last time he started a game was back in mid-March and a knee injury kept him sidelined for the remainder of the domestic season while some observers at Sevilla felt the player, who signed on a loan deal from AC Milan, was exaggerating the issue - and called on UEFA to intervene if he was picked to play for his country.
The 23-year-old told A Bola he had a "clear conscience" and was not simulating injury, and Santos confirmed on Thursday the decision to leave out Silva was down to the advice of Portugal's medical team. "André Silva was monitored by our medical department and the final report gave him as an unfit for these games," he told a media conference.
Cristiano in the Portugal squad
Cristiano Ronaldo is included, along with Benfica's teenage sensation Félix. The 19-year-old was called up for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Ukraine and Serbia in March, though he did not make an appearance in either fixture.
Still, Santos confirmed he would have no hesitation in calling upon a highly rated forward who has been heavily linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United. "The criteria to make the squad is quality. Felix is one of 23 players in the squad that can play," Santos said.
The reigning European champions face Switzerland in the first Nations League semi-final on 5 June.
Portugal's Nations League Finals squad in full:
Beto (Goztepe), José Sá (Olympiacos), Rui Patricio (Wolves); João Cancelo (Juventus), Ruben Dias (Benfica), José Fonte (Lille), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Pepe (Porto), Mario Rui (Napoli), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona); William Carvalho (Real Betis), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), João Moutinho (Wolves), Rubén Neves (Wolves), Danilo Pereira (Porto), Pizzi (Benfica); João Félix (Benfica), Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia), Diogo Jota (Wolves), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Rafa Silva (Benfica), Dyego Sousa (Braga)