FIFA World Cup 2022 will have young talents to support the best the business and Portugal are not an exception. They now have youngsters all over the field.

Ronaldo has been leading the line for Portugal's National Football Team for what now seems like forever. The 37-year-old icon of the game is possibly appearing for his final World Cup appearance in Qatar. He will also be captaining the side in this edition of the tournament. 

CR7 carried the bulk of the load for the national team in the previous edition of the tournaments and other international tournaments for Portugal. This time around, however, he has some help around him.

Portugal takes with it one of the most talent-laden teams to the World Cup, and many fans believe that Portugal will go the distance in what looks to be Ronaldo's swansong World Cup campaign.

Ronaldo could be playing at his final World Cup in Qatar
Source : instagram

Unlike the previous outings, Portugal has a skillful and crafty set of players around Ronaldo, who can help him make a difference for their nation. Ronaldo leads them as the experienced one and someone who can command respect and admiration from the young players within the team.

Portugal has some young players among their ranks who will look up to him to provide guidance and motivation, as many of these players have grown up watching and admiring Ronaldo and his exploits. These youngsters need to be the backbone of the Portugal national team if it is to go the distance in this year's tournament as well as for the future of the national team. Ronaldo is the perfect player to galvanize these young stars and make them click for the overall good of the nation and their hopes at the World Cup.

Rafael Leão (center left) and João Félix (right) pictured training, are the two most promising talents Portugal has to offer
Source : instagram

Ronaldo, one of the greatest players the game has ever seen, if not the greatest as some fans believe him to be, understands that the outcome of this World Cup if he manages to lead them far into the latter stages, if not win it all will significantly add to his legacy. It would help him cement his place even more in the history of football among the greatest of the greats. Ronaldo will be looking to bring in his magic, which we have witnessed infinite times before, to this year's World Cup and guide his country to glory. 

Portugal's skilled youngsters and other star players around the team will be crucial for Ronaldo to lead his nation to the promised land. Here, we look at some of the young Portuguese players who can be the backbone Portugal needs them to be for Ronaldo to guide them and lead the way for his country throughout this campaign.

1. João Félix

The first player that comes to mind when we think of Portuguese youngsters is João Félix. The Atletico Madrid forward is one of Portugal's current and future stars.

João Félix will appear in his first-ever World Cup campaign with his country in Qatar. The 23-year-old forward has already had a very eventful career, even at a very young age. 

Born on November 10, 1999, in Viseu, Portugal, the 5ft 10 forward started his career aged just eight at a local club Os Pestinhas back in his hometown. Just after a year with his hometown team, he joined the youth system of the Portuguese giants Porto. Later he joined the youth academy of the rival club SL Benfica. He was given his first senior debut with the Benfica first team back in 2018. 

Félix was with Benfica's senior team for a year before being purchased by Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a fee of £113 million, one of the highest fees paid for a player ever, let alone a teenager. His exploits with Benfica brought in a hoard of suitors, but Atletico got their hands on Félix's talents. He has been with Atletico ever since.

João Félix is one of the most expensive signings in the history of football
Source : theguardian

João Félix has been in fine form this season, scoring four and providing three more in 18 appearances across all competitions. Félix's talents are not disputable, and when he is at his best, he can be one of the most exciting players in the world. His abilities and prowess will be essential for Portugal if they are to go far into the tournament. 

He will be one to watch as he can complement Ronaldo by acting as a provider for Ronaldo, who will be mostly playing the role of target man rather than running across the field all game long.

João Félix could play the role of provider for Ronaldo by playing appropriate balls to him in the final third
Source : bleacherreport

2. Rafael Leão

Another exciting youngster amidst the rank of the Portugal National Team is Rafael Leão. The 23-year-old has been developing as a great player.

The youngster has grown and developed yearly and has a great future ahead. At such a young age, Rafael Leão, Italian giants AC Milan's talisman, has a lot to bring in and provide for Portugal's national team. 

The current Serie A best player of the year holder from last season, Leão, has been tearing up the opponents for AC Milan at the left flank. Rafael Leão and his speed and ability to provide for Ronaldo could do wonders in this tournament and for Portugal.

Rafael Leão's abilities and his combination with Ronaldo could prove to be very essential for Portugal on the left flank
Source : com

Born June 10, 1999, in Almada, Portugal, Leão developed his talents at the youth academy of Sporting CP. He was transferred to Lille in 2018, and after a year with Lille, AC Milan came calling. 

At AC Milan, Rafael Leão has grown strength to strength and has established himself as one of the most exciting young players across Europe and one of the best players in the Italian league.

His talents have attracted many eyes to him, and he is one of the hot prospects around Europe as several top clubs are lining in to have the opportunity to sign him. 

Playing at his first World Cup, this tournament will be his biggest stage yet, and he has the abilities and qualities to impress. Opposing defenses must be at their best to stop Leão in his day. With the ball at his feet and a path to run given to him, he can tear down the opposition and change the game's outcome singlehandedly. If Portugal wants to reach the promised land, utilizing his talents and linking him up with Ronaldo will be essential.

Rafael Leão was named Serie A's player of the year as he helped AC Milan win their first league title in a decade
Source : theguardian

3. Diogo Costa

Another young player who will be a backbone for the Portuguese team in the future as well as in the present is Diogo Costa. 

The 23-year-old goalkeeper is slated to be the first-choice goalkeeper for the Portugal National Team for years to come. Born on September 19, 1999, in Rothrist, Switzerland, to Portuguese parents, Diogo Costa could have also opted to play for Switzerland given his birthplace. However, he chose to represent Portugal, and understandably so. 

The young goalkeeper started his career as a youth player back in his local team before moving to FC Porto's youth academy. He has since graduated to the first team and has impressed immensely since his debut in 2019 for the senior team.

Porto's 23 year old goalkeeper has impressed immensely since his debut for the senior team
Source : si

Diogo Costa has been on the shortlist of many European clubs, including Manchester United, thanks to his performances with Porto as their potential keeper as they approach the market for a keeper. 

Diogo Costa has played 19 games across all competitions this season and had nine lean sheets overall. Not bad for a young and learning keeper. Many believe he will have a part to play in Portugal's 2022 World Cup campaign. 

If he were to be called, he could be trusted as a great option, along with the veteran Rui Patricio, with whom he shares his goalkeeping tasks for Portugal. However, Portugal has identified Diogo Costa as the number one moving forward.

4. Gonçalo Ramos

Yet another up-and-coming young forward who has been promising from Portugal is Gonçalo Ramos. He has been impressive as of late. 

He is one of the youngest players in Portugal's World Cup Squad. Born on June 20, 2001, in Olhão, Portugal, the 21-year-old has been SL Benfica's top goal scorer this season and has helped his team go on an impressive run both in the league and the championships league.

Gonçalo Ramos joined SL Benfica's youth team in 2013 after spending some years with several local teams. He was promoted to the senior team in 2019 and made his debut for the first team in 2020. 

Gonçalo Ramos has played 21 games across all competitions this season, and during this time, he has had 20 goal contributions with 14 goals and six further assists to his name. He has been one of the shining lights of this season across Europe.

Gonçalo Ramos has already had 20 goal contributions to his name
Source : co

Just 21 years of age, he has a tremendous career in front of him, and if he continues like this, it wouldn't surprise anyone if he establishes himself as one of the best players in the world. 

He has been allowed to represent Portugal at the World Cup this term, and if given a chance, he can stand up to the test. He is one of the candidates and the best examples of players who will be the backbone of players for Portugal in years to come.

5. Diogo Dalot

Yet another player who will no doubt form the foundation for the Portugal national team in years to come is Diogo Dalot. 

Born on March 18, 1999, in Braga, Portugal, the impressive right-back is just 23 years of age. Dalot started his career at Porto youth academy just like his many counterparts. He graduated into the Porto first team in 2017 and stayed with them until the 2018 season before Manchester United bought him.

However, he initially couldn't find his feet at Manchester United and was loaned to AC Milan to get some playing time. While at AC Milan under the tutelage of the great Maldini, Dalot was impressive and grew as both a person and a defender. He was taken back by Manchester United after spending a season in Italy.

Diogo Dalot has been impressive upon his return to Manchester United
Source : co

Upon his return, he established himself as the starting right back for Manchester United and one of the best defenders at United. 

His recent performances have also managed to secure him his national team role. He will play a significant role in Portugal's World Cup campaign. At just 23 years of age, he will likely be with Portugal, acting as one of the backbones and a foundation upon the team to build upon.

6. António Silva

The final inductee on our list and the youngest player in Portugal's World Cup squad is António Silva. Still yet 19, he has shown great potential. 

Born on October 30, 2003, in Viseu, Portugal, the 19-year-old is touted to be the future of the Portuguese defense for years to come. António Silva joined Benfica's youth academy in 2016, having already played at three different teams' youth system. He was promoted to the senior team in 2022 and made his first team debut in 2022. 

Having just recently started his career, António Silva has managed to impress and wow the fans and other team executives. Having featured for Benfica 20 times this season, he is one of the lynchpins who has helped Benfica go on this impressive marauding run at both the league and the champions league. Also, he has managed to contribute three goals to Benfica's season.

19 year old António Silva has been crucial for SL Benfica this season
Source : espn

He is one of the best young players in Portugal's ranks, and with him, they can be assured that their defense is in for an excellent ride for a long time.

Portugal begin their campaign against Ghana

Portugal is set to kick off their World Cup campaign in Qatar with a game against Ghana. The game is set to be played at Stadium 974 in Rass Abou Aboud. 

Portugal will be feeling confident as they are going into the game as the favorites. However, with the recent result, they must be aware that they shouldn't take any opponents lightly. After Ghana, they will take on Uruguay and South Korea to close out their group.

Portugal begins their campaign with a game against Ghana
Source : instagram

We've looked at some of the young talents who could make a difference across the Portuguese World Cup Squad, complimenting the lead of talisman Ronaldo. 

Along with these youngsters, Portugal also has some established players who are stars in their own right. We await to see how Portugal's campaign pans out in what could be the last World Cup for legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.