#5-Portugal

#5-Portugal
Nickname-Selecao (National Team)
UEFA
FIFA Ranking-#3
Group G (Germany, Portugal, United States, Ghana)
Projected Results...
Tie to Germany
Win to USA
Win to Ghana
Manager- Paulo Bento
Qualified through UEFA WC Qualification Win over Sweden 4-2 on aggregate
6th World Cup Appearance (1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010)

Portugal is ranked so highly because of one word: Cristiano. The best player in the world at the moment, he's just in torrid form for Real Madrid and has been for Portugal as well. Portugal has a defense with a lot of experience, and some skill at right and left back with Joao Pereira and Fabio Coentrao respectively. Pepe and Bruno Alves should be paired up as center-backs, and I think Paulo Bento will stick with Rui Patricio in net. But the midfield is where things can be complicated for Portugal. Joao Moutinho is a lock to be in a holding midfield position, but after that, it will be interesting to see who Bento selects. I think William Carvalho, who is going to be one of the best midfielders in the world, will be in that midfield, alongside Fernando, who is Brazilian but in the process of attaining Portuguese citizenship. As for up front, it will be Ronaldo on the left wing, probably Nani on the right wing, and then likely the wasteful, infuriating Helder Postiga--can't you tell I really watch this team a lot? I hope Paulo Bento is reading this, because I think my sentiments reflect those who are supporting this national team. This all is great, but Portugal will only go as far Ronaldo takes them. Since his form is so devastating lately, I have them as serious contenders. Let's talk about Ronaldo and two others more in depth:

Cristiano Ronaldo-He's amazing. He can score from anywhere, his moves with the ball are incredible, and he is faster than anyone on the pitch. He's just a brilliant, brilliant player, and he scores at an incredible strike rate. The best player in the world for a reason. He's got 110 appearances, and 49 goals. 29 years old. He single-handedly is the reason Portugal is in the World Cup:

Joao Moutinho-As good as Ronaldo is, he needs someone to feed him. That will be Moutinho and co. in the midfield. Joao is just such class at distributing the ball and dictating pace. He plays for Monaco, and he's got 66 appearances for Portugal with 2 goals. He's 27, so he's in his prime.

Nani-Nani has been in awful form, and barely playing for Manchester United. He's great when in form, so I have him as a key player because if he can be in top form on the opposite wing of Ronaldo, then Portugal can legitimately win the whole tournament. This is a massive IF. Nani is so frustrating because he has the tools to be great, but he is insanely inconsistent. Aged 27, 72 appearances, 14 goals.

It's simple. This team goes as far as Ronaldo takes them. I think he'll take them very far.