Manchester United's newly signed winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Luiz Felipe Scolari's 18-man squad for Portugal's friendly international against Kazakhstan next Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The uncapped 18-year-old, known for his speed and dribbling finesse, signed a five-year contract to join the English champions from Sporting Lisbon for 12.24 million pounds ($19.68 million) on Tuesday.

UEFA Cup winners Porto provide five players for the match in Chaves, Portugal on August 20, the most from any side, including playmaker Deco Souza and uncapped substitute keeper Bruno Vale.

Scolari, who steered Brazil to their fifth World Cup title last year, said Kazakhstan had an excellent team with good defence, ball-handling skills and speed. The combination would allow him to evaluate Portugal's ability to improvise and dribble.

"I want our rivals to be confused by our ball handling, because in Euro 2004 we must have games like that and the side needs more aggressiveness than it has shown so far," he told a news conference.

As hosts, Portugal automatically qualify for the finals of next year's European championships. They will play only friendly internationals rather than tougher competitive matches before the tournament.

Squad

Goalkeepers" Defenders: Fernando Couto (Lazio, Italy), Jorge Andrade (Deportivo Coruna, Spain), Rui Jorge (Sporting), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Nuno Valente (Porto), Miguel Monteiro (Benfica)

Midfielders: Rui Costa (AC Milan, Italy), Luis Figo (Real Madrid, Spain), Deco Souza (Porto), Maniche Ribeiro (Porto), Hugo Viana (Newcastle United, England), Francisco Costinha (Porto)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, England), Simao Sabrosa (Benfica), Pauleta Resendes (Paris St Germain, France), Helder Postiga (Tottenham Hotspur, England)

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