Portugal 'humble but more ambitious than ever' ahead of World Cup, says Dias

Ruben Dias believes Portugal will continue to evolve with each competition they play in, and says they have the ambition to go on to lift the World Cup. 

Portugal are bidding to win the World Cup for the first time in their history, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 7% chance of triumphing.

Their best finish to date was third place back in 1966, and in their last appearance at the tournament, they were knocked out of the quarter-finals.

However, Portugal come into this tournament with some confidence, having lifted their second Nations League title by beating Spain on penalties last summer.

The Selecao's final preparations for the World Cup begins on Saturday against Chile, with Nigeria also to come before they begin their campaign against DR Congo on June 17.

"I feel that we are evolving with each competition we play," Dias told FIFA. "We have many quality players.

"Furthermore, we have many players who perform at the highest level of football – this comes with the ability to handle pressure, to know what that pressure is like. Still, each new competition is a new beginning.

"For me, the most important thing is when we encounter the first difficulties. They will shape you for what comes next in the competition. How we react will gradually begin to show how far we can really go.

"I feel like more than a belief, there's an ambition to do so. We have our feet well on the ground. We know how difficult it is and how much we will have to work for it.

"The feeling [of belief] will have to grow with the competition, with the feeling of confidence after every game, after every step, after every difficulty. So, we're humble about it, but we're more ambitious than ever."

Portugal are facing Chile for the fourth time; having won their first meeting 4-1 back in June 1972, the Selecao have since drawn both their meetings, but lost the most recent on penalties in the FIFA Confederations Cup in June 2017.

Roberto Martinez has named a strong squad for the World Cup, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Joao Felix also included.

Dias is preparing to play his third World Cup, and he is looking forward to stepping back out onto the stage of FIFA's premier competition.

"Personally, I feel very good physically and mentally," he added. "This will be my third World Cup, and it's always an exciting moment for the country, for all of us.

"I know what it feels like to be at a World Cup. I know how special it is for the players, for the fans, for our families, for our country. It's a joy and a unique experience.

"I feel this one will be special. Everyone has been waiting for this for a long time."