Paulo Bento's squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Portugal get set to continue their qualifying campaign for World Cup 2014 in Brazil and play Isreal on the road March 22 in a battle for second spot in the group, then return home to face Azerbaijan on the 26th. Paulo Bento has announced the following players will be part of the squad for the next round of games.

Goalkeepers

Rui Patricio (Sporting)
Beto (Sevilla)
Eduardo (Istanbul BB)

Defense

Pepe (Real Madrid)
Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)
Silvio (Deportivo)
Joao Pereira (Valencia)
Bruno Alves (Zenit)
Luis Neto (Zenit)
Sereno (Valladolid)

Midfielders

Raul Meireles (Fenerbache)
Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev)
Joao Moutinho (FC Porto)
Custodio (Braga)
Paulo Machado (Olympiakos)
Carlos Martins (Benfica)

Forwards

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Helder Postiga (Zaragoza)
Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
Hugo Almeida (Besiktas)
Danny (Zenit)
Varela (FC Porto)
Pizzi (Deportivo)

Sporting set to launch own TV Channel

Sporting are set to launch their own TV channel following in the foot steps of Lisbon rival Benfica. Sporting's new TV channel should be on the air in August 2013, just in time for the start of the new season in Portugal. Sporting was looking to launch on its club anniversary date of June 1 but the launch was not able to be obtained by then.

Benfica's Lima would be honoured to win the Quinas jersey

Benfica striker Lima is pondering a call up by the Portuguese National squad, the 29 year old Brazilian is a dual citizen and has been applying his trade in Portugal since 2003.

The striker who moved to Benfica from Braga this season and has chipped in 8 goals in all competitions this season for the Eagles after scoring 28 last season for Braga. Lima would be honoured to get a call up to Portugal by head coach Paulo Bento.

Marseille looks at loan move for Benfica's Bruno Cesar

French club Marseille is looking at submitting a proposal to Benfica for midfielder Bruno Cesar come January. Benfica's price tag on the sale of the Brazilian is $15 million euros and it is said that the French side is more inclined to borrow the player then purchase him.

The 24 year old has seen his playing time diminish in his second season with the Eagles and has only started in two regular season games so far this campaign. Cesar chipped in 13 goals last season in all competitions and has failed to score this season.

The arrival of Salvio and Enzo Perez this season to Benfica has the Brazilian thinking a move may be in his best interests come January.

Liverpool turn their eyes to Benfica's Cardozo

Liverpool have turned their attention to Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo as a possible replacement up front, if Luis Suarez is sold by the northern English club. Cardozo already has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season and is signed with Benfica until the summer of 2014.

Sporting looking at former Maritimo striker Baba

Sporting are said to be in talks with Sevilla for former Maritimo striker Baba. Baba who applied his trade with the Madeira club for 4 and a half seasons, is not getting the minutes he would like at the Spanish club, who are disappointed in the Senegal player's performance this season. Sporting are keen to add to their attack after a dismal start to the season, some sources say that Sevilla could be interested in Sporting's Daniel Carrico as part of any deal.

Paulo Bento squad for Portugal friendly against Gabon

Paulo Bento has named his squad for the upcoming friendly against Gabon on November 14/12. The national team coach will be looking at a new set of wingers for the encounter as both Nani and Ronaldo are sidelined for the encounter.

Portugal roster:

Rui Patricio (Sporting)
Beto (Braga)
Eduardo (Istanbul BB)

Silvio (Atletico Madrid)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)
Bruno Alves (Zenit)
Luis Neto (Siena)
Nelson (Real Betis)
Joao Pereira (Valencia)

Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev)
Paulo Machado (Olympiakos)
Ruben Amorim (Braga)
Joao Moutinho (FC Porto)
Custodio (Braga)
Ruben Micael (Braga)

Helder Barbosa (Braga)
Eder (Braga)
Helder Postiga (Zaragoza)
Varela (FC Porto)
Hugo Almeida (Beskitas)
Pizzi (Deportivo)

Man U offer Chicharito for Porto's Rodriguez

Porto's James Rodriguez has caught the eye of Manchester United coach Alex Fergusen. Fergusen is determined to bring Rodriguez to United when the transfer window opens again in January and feels that Rodriguez would be the ideal replacement for Nani and to convince Porto to let Rodriguez go, Fergusen is offering Mexican Chicharito to any deal for the Porto star.

P.F.A announces Player of the Month for August/September

The P.F.A have announced the Player of the Month in the Portuguese League for the months of August/September and have named Porto's James Rodriguez to receive the award.

Rodriguez edged out Benfica players Salvio and Lima for the first monthly award of the season.

Paulo Bento announces squad for World Cu qualifiers

Paulo Bento has named his squad for the upcoming qualifiers for World Cup 2014, Portugal plays on the 12th in Russia and then receive Northern Ireland at home on the 16th.

Portugal roster:

Rui Patricio (Sporting)
Beto (Braga)
Eduardo (Istanbul BB)

Miguel Lopes (FC Porto)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)
Bruno Alves (Zenit)
Luis Neto (Siena)
Sereno (Valladolid)
Joao Pereira (Valencia)

Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev)
Raul Meireles (Chelsea)
Ruben Amorim (Braga)
Joao Moutinho (FC Porto)
Custodio (Braga)
Ruben Micael (Braga)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Nani (Man United)
Helder Postiga (Zaragoza)
Varela (FC Porto)
Nelson Oliveira (Deportivo)
Pizzi (Deportivo)

Paulo Bento announces squad for World Cup qualifier

Paulo Bento has named his squad for the upcoming qualifiers for World Cup 2014, Portugal plays on the 7th in Luxembourg and then receive Azerbaijan at home on the 11th.

Portugal roster:

Rui Patricio (Sporting)
Beto (Braga)
Eduardo (Istanbul BB)

Miguel Lopes (FC Porto)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)
Bruno Alves (Zenit)
Nuno Coelho (Braga)
Ricardo Costa (Valencia)
Joao Pereira (Valencia)

Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev)
Raul Meireles (Chelsea)
Ruben Amorim (Braga)
Joao Moutinho (FC Porto)
Custodio (Braga)
Ruben Micael (Braga)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Nani (Man United)
Eder (Academica)
Helder Postiga (Zaragoza)
Varela (FC Porto)
Nelson Oliveira (Deportivo)
Pizzi (Deportivo)

Benfica showing interest in Malaga's Eliseu

Benfica have their eye on Portuguese International and Malaga winger Eliseu. The 28 year old has played 133 games for the Spanish side, scoring 16 goals and with Malaga suffering from financial woes at the moment the Eagles are hoping that they can land Eliseu at a discounted price.

Olhanense sign former Portugal International Ricardo

Olhanense has signed former Portugal international starting keeper Ricardo as the newest member of the club, the 36 year old is signed for the season and his leadership will be a boost for the Southern Portugal club.

Benfica land Pacos Ferreira striker Michel

Benfica have landed 27 year old Brazilian attacker Michel from Pacos Ferreira. Michel scored 9 goals for Pacos last season and is in fight to earn a spot with the Eagles this upcoming season.

P.S.N.L. name 23 man all star squad for Euro 2012

The Euro 2012 tournament is now complete and Spain have been crowned the title holders once again, in what was an entertaining tournament we now select our 23 man roster from the star performances of the 2012 tournament.

Goalkeepers

Iker Casillas (Spain), Gianluiga Buffon (Italy), Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Defenders

PEPE (PORTUGAL), FABIO COENTRAO (PORTUGAL), Gerard Pique (Spain), Jorge Alba (Spain), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Phillip Lahm (Germany)

Midfielders

MIGUEL VELOSO (PORTUGAL), Danielle De Rossi (Italy), Xavi (Spain), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Sami Khedira (Germany), Andres Iniesta (Spain)

Forwards

CRISTIANO RONALDO (PORTUGAL), David Silva (Spain), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Mario Balotelli (Italy), Mario Gomez (Germany)

Are there any Portugal players you feel should have been named to the 23 man roster and if so, then who?
Comment below.

Carlos Martins hopes to return to Benfica this season

Carlos Martins admits that his ambition is to return to play for Benfica next season. The Portuguese international, who last season was loaned to Granada, Spain, goes further.

"Right now my priority is the future and health of my child. This is my real battle but I do not deny that I hope to return to Benfica. I am a Benfica player, it is where I want to play and win a Championship."

After the loan to Granada, the midfielder is now awaiting word from Benfica as to their intentions with him, remember that Carlos Martins has a contract with Benfica until July 2013

P.S.N.L. fans select Portuguese Player of the Year 2011/12

PSNL fans have selected once again Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portuguese Player of the Year for the 2011/12 season. Ronaldo gathered 88% of all votes placed and had another great year at Real Madrid, winning the La Liga title and scoring 60 goals in all competitions for Real.

The 27 year old winger looks to be entering his prime and the sky is the limit for the phenom. Hugo Viana from Braga finished second in voting with a mere 6% of the votes.

P.S.N.L. chooses starting eleven for Germany game

Euro 2012 kicks off for Portugal on Saturday as they face one of the tournament favourites in Germany. The Portuguese side has yet to win a game in 2012 and after back to back disappointing performances just before they tournament kicks off the team, the country and the fans around the world expect better.

Paulo Bento's the last two friendlies against Macedonia and Turkey tried different tactics and combinations of players not with much success, so we have decided to give Mr. Bento a hand in making his choices for the opening encounter.

Goalkeeper

Beto (CFR Cluj), Beto was the best goalie in Portugal until he was picked up by FC Porto and placed on the bench, his loan move to Cluj has the keeper back in form and he makes little mental mistakes.

Defenders

Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Portugal's shining star in World Cup 2010, the left back spot looks to be his for years to come. The 24 year old has yet to reach his prime and his attacks from the left side should keep opposing teams on their toes.

Pepe (Real Madrid), Tough as nails in the central back position, is dangerous in the air, he can mark men and just needs to make sure to keep his temper in check and dangerous tackles away from the penalty box.

Bruno Alves (Zenit), Alves did not look comfertable in the last two friendlies but the veteran central back needs to step it up in the tournament, is a threat in the air and he and Pepe know each other well.

Joao Pereira (Valencia), Recently purchased by the Spanish side, Pereira had a strong season in Portugal for Sporting, he will be counted on to move the ball up quick to Portugal's dangerous wingers.

Midfielders

Raul Meireles (Chelsea), The Portuguese midfielder is strong on his feet and will be counted on to chip into the attack coming in from the back, has scored timely goals for the Portuguese in the past will be counted on to do this again.

Custodio (Braga), The defensive minded midfielder, reminds us of Costinha, can cover his men and move into the attack, our surprise pick for the starting eleven, Custodio is highly under rated.

Joao Moutinho (FC Porto), Moutinho is the key to success in this tournament, Moutinho will need to step up to take the pressure away from the forwards, he is in Deco's and Rui Costa's role, big shoes to fill but Moutinho will need to dig deep if Portugal are to be successful.

Forwards

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Ronaldo had a stellar season in Spain and wants nothing better then to see Portugal have a great tournament, the supporting cast will need to do their part so the #7 can have room to perform.

Nani (Man United) The perfect wing man for Ronaldo, Nani suffered a knock in the final tune up game, at this time he looks like he will be able to go, is always dangerous with the ball at his feet.

Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), The towering striker should get the nod having played in the German league for many seasons, The striker position has always been achilles heel for the Portuguese dated back to many tournaments, this could be Almeida's last chance to make an impression on his coach.

What is your starting eleven for Saturday's game?

Enzo Perez looks to make return to Benfica next season

Enzo Perez's loan spell with Estudiantes ends on June 30/12 and Benfica will take another look at the 26 year old winger who has been in great form this season. Universidade of Chile are also interested in the winger but Benfica at this time have no interest in selling Perez. 

Portuguese League 23 man all star team

The Portuguese League play is all but done with only the Taca de Portugal to be decided this weekend. The league saw a three team dogfight for the title between FC Porto, Benfica and Braga, these three teams players dominate our 23 man Portuguese League all star team.

23 Man Portuguese League All Star Squad:

Goalies:

Helton (FC Porto)
Artur (Benfica)
Quim (Braga)

Defenders:

Garay (Benfica)
Maxi Pereira (Benfica)
Rolando (FC Porto)
Ewerton (Braga)
Joao Pereira (Sporting)
Emiliano Insua (Sporting)

Midfielders:

Joao Moutinho (FC Porto)
Fernando (FC Porto)
James Rodriguez (FC Porto)
Hugo Viana (Braga)
Pablo Aimar (Benfica)
Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)
Javi Garcia (Benfica)

Forwards:

Oscar Cardozo (Benfica)
Lima (Braga)
Hulk (FC Porto)
Wolfswinkel (Sporting)
Mateus (Nacional)
Danilo Dias (Maritimo)
Edgar Silva (Guimaraes)