For the next four days, the Portuguese capital of Lisbon will be one of the footballing epicentres with the celebration of the 2025 Portugal Football Summit which runs through to Saturday (October 11).
Over the next four days the likes of former players such as Deco (current sporting director at FC Barcelona) , Nani, Roberto Martinez, Sol Campbell, and coaches such as Carlos Carvalhal, Jorge Jesus and Roberto Martinez will be speaking at the event at the Portuguese FA which brings together some of the biggest names in the football industry.
After opening presentations from politician Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and head of the Portuguese FA head Pedro Proença, the spotlight fell on UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Following a turbulent week in which saw UEFA ‘regrettably’ granted permission to LaLiga and Serie A to stage games overseas, the matter of playing domestic games abroad was one of the key issues under the spotlight for the Slovenian executive.
The UEFA president conducted a one-on-one interview with local host Pedro Pinto.
Ceferin started by praising local hero Cristiano Ronaldo and added that the striker is one of the most competitive players he knows: ‘he is amazing, we would need over two hours to cover what he has achieved over his career. He is one of the best players of all time for sure, certainly in the top three’.
The conversation moved to the new Champions League and European club competitions with Ceferin stating that to make the change (towards the Swiss model league stage) was a ‘brave step’ and that by keeping the competition open with the likes of Union SG, Kairat Almaty, Bodo Glimt, Pafos etc. making their debut is important and that this is vital to keep football ‘open for all’, a clear shot at the proposed breakaway Super League adding ‘football is for everyone’.
Toughest challenge
Ceferin reflected on his time as UEFA president having to contend with many challenges such as covid, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the threat of the breakaway Super League.
The 57-year-old added: ‘there is plenty of money and ego in the football world but the most important thing is to find your way and even be ready to admit that you may have gotten things wrong’.
He focused on the challenges facing the game but preferred to focus on the positive and added that we need to be less conservative...’look at the potential that AI developments can offer, social media, new streaming possibilities’.
He concluded stating that the most important thing is to ‘know when you are wrong and look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you are doing the right thing’.
ANK3430
153
We all know who the best is though
ANK3430
91
The one and only
zecdlmop
59
Ronaldo is great due to the nation he came from. Check records of Portugal national team right from the youngest teams to the biggest team of that nation,the era of Ronaldo speaks the highest volume of greatness compared to a country like Argentina. as far as soccer is concern,hardly few individuals will pick Portugal over Brazil and Argentina in world of soccer so,those 2nations are always favorites while from the begining of world cup till date but Ronaldo took it upon himself that he will lead Portuguese national team to next stage which he did by winning 2trophies for his nation which I don't think any of the great footballer have ever done in that country. As long as soccer can be in Portugal, Ronaldo is the best,his the no1 . The greatest of that nation and his worldwide accepted. His a professional,a leader and the most disciplined footballer in the training
JoshuaCR729
43
one and only no matter what they say..when he does win the world cup.they will still say the same. #goated
Tocilostyz
37
I consider Messi as one of the luckiest players to play in Ronaldo's era... Goatnaldo 🐐 🇵🇹
Namayanja
36
1.Cristiano 2.Pele 2.Maradona 3.Messi
KwadjoHerdrick
30
Hello Mr. Ceferin, Cristiano Ronaldo is the Greatest Footballer Of All Time, don't twist the fact.
Davichi
24
Ceferin is smart and good in politicking. This is about Portugal so he needs to talk about their best player and hype him a little. 😂 He knows in his heart that he can't say Ronaldo is the GOAT because he's not even in the top 3 so he decides to push him up a little by saying he's among the top 3 greatest. 😂😂🤣🙊
Iffy106
14
Cr7 is one of the best ever but Messi remain the greatest of all time
Jabacnostu
12
According to Mr Ceferin, Cristiano is not the greatest of all time, but included him in top 3. Now, the question is, who Mr Ceferin will remove in the top 3 ranking of Pele, Maradona and Messi in order to accommodate Cristiano? The truth is he can't be there, but in top 4 and 5 for sure.
Mosabclnry
7
Top 5 maybe NOT Top 3 please ! Let’s respect Pele , Maradona and Messi