Quaresma and Ventura have been called up by Coach Paulo Bento for the Argentina vs Portugal friendly. Meanwhile, striker Liedson didn’t make the cut at the public’s surprise, so Bento explained his choices.
Ex-Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was known not to be keen to talk about non-selected players. However, Paulo Bento has a totally different approach when it comes to that and this is why he had no problem clarifying his picks through the media.

“I didn’t select Liedson but this is because we’ve gone for two strikers – Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga,” Portugal’s Paulo Bento told reporters.

“Considering their performances, what we want is to keep a stable squad and endow the team with an identity. Liedson is not on the list through option, just like he wasn’t against Spain.”

Now according to football pundits and fans, the inclusion of Besiktas’ Ricardo Quaresma for the Argentina vs Portugal game came as a surprise. But Paulo Bento was quick to get them wrong as he continued:

“If it’s the first time that I’ve selected Quaresma, it is because in the previous squads – like the first in particular – he got injured in the lead-up.

“Quaresma’s got talent and he is in good form. He is also playing regularly, so I don’t think there’s a point in considering his call-up as a surprise.

“Now for Ventura... well, our aim is to pick goalkeepers who enjoy regular football. And that’s the case for Eduardo and Rui Patricio.

“So we want another goalie to fit this criterion and here you have Ventura who has played on a regular basis. He also has experience in the top flight and for Portugal at the youth level.”

Here is Portugal’s squad in full for the Argentina friendly match:

Goalkeepers: Eduardo, Ventura, Rui Patricio

Defenders: Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Bosingwa, Joao Pereira, Ricardo Carvalho, Rolando

Midfielders: Carlos Martins, Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso, Paulo Machado, Raul Meireles

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny, Helder Postiga, Hugo Almeida, Nani, Ricardo Quaresma