Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz says axing Manchester United winger Nani from his World Cup squad was the most difficult call of his career.

The Portugal winger, 23, suffered a shoulder injury in training but travelled to South Africa and was confident of recovering.

However it became clear he needed more tests and Queiroz admits it was devastating to lose one of his key men.

Benfica's Ruben Amorim has since been called up and Queiroz said: "In my 30 years in coaching it was the most difficult thing I've had to do.

"But the pain and the diagnosis left me in no doubt.

"Missing the World Cup has always been a possibility since he took the fall. There was a great determination from Nani to play - he was exemplary."