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Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo assumed former great Luis Figo’s role on Tuesday as he was handed his number 7 shirt and named captain by Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The 23-year-old Manchester United winger – scorer of 41 goals in all competitions this campaign – will attempt to achieve something Figo never managed, guiding the Portuguese to a major senior title, having lost 1-0 to Greece in the Euro 2004 final.

Ronaldo also wears the number 7 shirt at United, which has been previously worn by George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

Ronaldo was chosen as captain over four players who previously captained the side – Nuno Gomes, Petit, Simao and Ricardo Carvalho – who are in the squad.

Portugal, who are currently training in the town of Viseu in central Portugal, are in Group A with co-hosts Switzerland, 2004 semi-finalists Czech Republic and 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Turkey. – AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 41 goals for Manchester United this season and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wants Cristiano Ronaldo to replicate his brilliant club form after naming the winger in his Euro 2008 squad.

Ronaldo and Manchester United team-mate Nani were included in the 23-man party for the tournament, starting on 7 June.

“There is no doubt that Ronaldo is in great form but I cannot guarantee he will be in the same form as he’s been at Manchester United,” said Scolari.

Chelsea defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira are also in the squad.

The Stamford Bridge outfit’s new £16.2m signing, right-back Jose Bosingwa, will move to the Blues after his stint with Portugal in Austria and Switzerland.

With the Champions League final to contest on 21 May, the United and Chelsea players will join up with the squad after the game in Moscow.  Portugal will be strongest down the flanks - through Nani, Simao Sabrosa, and of course one Cristiano Ronaldo

There was no place in Scolari’s Euro 2008 group for Chelsea’s former on-loan midfielder Maniche, who now plays for Inter Milan. The 30-year-old’s omission was the only surprise in the squad announcement.

Portugal finished as runners-up to Greece on home soil in 2004 and Scolari, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, is expecting another strong performance.

“The expectations are the same as in 2004,” added Scolari, who will step down as Portugal coach after the competition.

“We have great quality to clinch the qualification in the first phase. I have total belief in this squad.”

Portugal are in Group A with the Czech Republic, Turkey and co-hosts Switzerland.

Portugal Squad
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Real Betis), Quim Silva (Benfica), Rui Patricio (Sporting)

Defenders: Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), Jose Bosingwa (Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Bruno Alves (Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)

Midfielders: Raul Meireles (Porto), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Deco (Barcelona), Armando Petit (Benfica), Miguel Veloso (Sporting)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Nani (Manchester United), Helder Postiga (Panathinaikos)