Vitinha admits Portugal's strength in the World Cup, but warns: 'On paper, nothing counts'
Never in history has the Portuguese team arrived so well and confident to compete in a World Cup. With a large squad, full of high quality midfielders and with star Cristiano Ronaldo trying to "close" his gallery of titles, containing the euphoria became one of the tasks at the Gardens North County District Park Training Center, in Long Beach.
And Vitinha, a competitor for the Ballon d'Or, used the first press conference there to preach humility.
The Portuguese's debut in the World Cup will only take place on Wednesday (17), against the Democratic Republic of Congo, at 2 pm (Brasília time), at the Houston Stadium, but many already imagine the team on the field on July 19, for the grand final, which the Paris Saint-Germain player thinks is wrong to talk about.
"What always works is to be humble", said Vitinha, chosen as the star of the Champions League final and aware that a great campaign in the World Cup could also earn him the season's Ballon d'Or. Nothing, however, to let the big phase go to your head.
"Our selection has great quality, but we need to put it into practice", he said, when asked about Portuguese favoritism in camps in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"We really know, we are not naive, that we have a high quality team, with a lot of talent and players in huge clubs around the world. I would even say, for that very reason, that perhaps we have never had a team like this. But, that is worth nothing on paper, as always. I would say that we are candidates, without a doubt, we have a very strong team, but I wouldn't say favorites, I wouldn't use that word."
Portugal's training sessions have been attended by many people since arriving in the United States and the players always recognize this support, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the group to wave and applaud the fans. The guarantee, however, is that the buzz does not interfere with work.
"We've been feeling really good here in Miami. We already had the Club World Cup last year here in the United States, we already know more or less what to expect in terms of conditions and everything else. Miami is an unbelievable place, we're enjoying it and adapting well", acknowledged Vitinha.
He also spoke about the unprecedented title pursued by Portugal in the World Cup.
"If we all knew, we would have done it by now... We know that what always works is being humble, playing game by game, thinking about the near future and not too far away. We have the talent, we just need the technical and tactical part. The tactics mainly", he highlighted.
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Source: CNN