Renato Sanches axed from Portugal World Cup squad as Cristiano Ronaldo leads Euro 2016 winners to Russia
RENATO SANCHES has been axed from Portugal's World Cup squad, as Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Euro 2016 winners to Russia.
The Bayern Munich star - on-loan at Swansea - has not been named in Fernando Santos' preliminary 35-man squad after his horror season.
Sanches, 20, was a leading light in Portugal's stunning 2016 success in France but has been on a sensational decline ever since.
The ex-Benfica star was named Young Player of the Tournament two summers ago, before immediately moving to Bayern.
However, Sanches endured a woeful season in South Wales in 2017-18 and will return to Germany with his tail between his legs.
To cap his shocking campaign, the youngster has not even made the 35-man preliminary squad.
Ronaldo leads the Portuguese to Russia, with ex-Manchester United team-mate Nani in tow.
Premier League stars Cedric Soares, Adrien Silva, Joao Mario and Ruben Neves do make the cut.
NAT OUR PROBLEM Swansea send flop Sanches back to Bayern after injury with doubts over whether he will return
Sanches has not even featured for Swansea since January after his abysmal start to life in England.
The Portuguese youngster failed to register a single goal or assist all season in a truly forgettable 2017-18.
