“Euro Cup was unfair to me”

Joao Cancelo, a defender for the Portuguese national team, hasn’t made it clear where he’ll be playing next season. He’s torn between Barcelona, ​​where he’s been on loan all season, and Manchester City, where he’s under contract until 2027. Cancelo emphasized that he’s currently “focused” on Euro 2024, seeking redemption after feeling unfairly left out of the 2020 squad.

“I’m fully focused on the national team, on supporting Portugal. Euro 2020 was tough for me, and now I want to make a statement. It was unfair to me, and I want to do it for myself, my family, my loved ones, and my friends who wished I was there, who dreamed of it like I did,” he shared at a press conference just before the tournament’s kickoff against the Czech Republic.

Covid threw a curveball

“I always dreamed of playing for Portugal in a Euro Cup. It was tough because I had a great season and felt I deserved to be there, but life had other plans,” he reflected on the previous edition of the tournament when he battled Covid -19 and was replaced by Diogo Dalot on coach Fernando Santos’ roster.

“No matter where I play at the club level, representing the national team is the pinnacle of my career, as it symbolizes my family, friends I played with on the streets, and those who care about me. It’s always the highlight, whether it’s a friendly match or a high-stakes competition,” Cancelo added, anticipating a tough match against a strong Czech Republic team that Portugal will need to outplay.

The greatest Portugal team ever?

“They’re a physical team with talented players,” Cancelo noted, addressing a recurring question. Is this current team the best in Portugal’s history? “It’s hard to say.. There’s a lot of talent here, but there have been generations like the one in Euro 2004, with phenomenal players who made it to the final,” he responded.

“If we can achieve the same and win, we’ll make history. And then there’s the 2016 generation, Euro Cup champions, who are etched in Portugal’s history. I hope we can also leave our mark,” he concluded.

Roberto Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo also praised the work of Roberto Martinez, his coach in Portugal following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “From day one, he made me feel comfortable. He is very connected with the players, has great ideas, enjoys attacking, and plays an offensive and attractive style. I share the same mindset. He adjusts to my style of play, and everyone on the team thinks similarly. We aim to bring him happiness on the field, as he has truly made a positive impact since his arrival and has quickly adapted,” Ronaldo emphasized.

Cristiano Ronaldo is gearing up for its sixth European Championship. It’s all thanks to his hard work, talent, and incredible achievements. He’s the leader, the captain,” emphasized the full-back. He doesn’t mind playing on the right or left side. He also mentioned Spain’s strong start and Germany, who he sees as “two favorites,” along with “three or four others.”

This content has been translated and adapted from the Spanish version of the digital newspaper