Portugal will face DR Congo in their first FIFA World Cup match, and Bruno Fernandes attended the pre-match press conference.
Hello, Bruno. It's already early morning in Portugal, and we are live on RTP. You've just been named the Premier League's best player, and now on the FIFA World Cup stage, your goals must extend beyond that, right? Do you agree with Vitinha's statement that this might be the best national team in Portugal's history, and that Portugal is indeed one of the favorites to win this FIFA World Cup?
The best national team in history is always the one that ultimately wins the championship. So I hope that after this tournament, we can be described that way, because that would be a very good sign. I think we clearly have a very strong team, with many talented players. But beyond individual abilities and our strength as a team, we are also a very united and powerful group. For us who are part of it, I think this is what makes this team special.
Our dream is always there, and everyone knows what we want. I believe dreams should never be limited. But now the FIFA World Cup has started, and our most important task is to focus on tomorrow's match. We must take it one game at a time. If we truly want to be called the best national team in Portugal's history, then we must first focus on the present, rather than thinking too far ahead all at once.
Of course, we also know that we carry a great responsibility, because the Portuguese team has many excellent and talented players who are capable of deciding games and helping Portugal go further.
As one of the key players in the team, can you tell us about Rúben Dias' current situation? We already know he's not in his best form. Also, if other center-backs play, especially Renato Veiga and Tomás Araújo, they are relatively less familiar with such a big stage. Do you have confidence in them? If they need to replace the regular starter Rúben, are they also ready to perform at their best in such important matches?
No player is unprepared. The coach selects these players because he trusts them. Everyone in our team also believes that everyone is ready to step up when needed.
This also includes Ricardo Coelho, who, although not on the roster, would be ready to give everything for the Portuguese team if needed. Obviously, we know that some players receive more attention, and some players play for more famous clubs, but this doesn't change the ability of other players, nor does it diminish their capabilities.
The strength of this team, as I just said, is that we trust each other. Whenever, in whatever position on the field, no matter which player is missing, we are capable of responding. Of course, we also know that Rúben is a very important player for us. As for whether he can play, we'll see later.
Looking at your season, you've played 46 games for Manchester United and the national team combined. I don't recall a season where you played so few games; it used to be 50, 60, or even 70. I want to ask you, from a personal perspective, with many players playing more games, does coming to the FIFA World Cup in relatively better condition help you personally? And in turn, does it help the national team?
Obviously, I hope this helps me, allowing me to assist the national team in better form and with more energy, and I hope that will ultimately be the case. This isn't to say I was in bad form during other tournaments. But clearly, playing fewer games also means less physical exertion. For any player, if the number of games, while not small, isn't as dense as for some other players, and the recovery time is also relatively more ample, I hope this will have some positive impact.
Not just me, but I also hope that those players in the team who have had relatively less playing time will be physically more energetic than their opponents when the team needs them.
I'd like to ask, what is your overall feeling about your stay in the USA these past few days? Previously, your visit to the beach in Palm Beach received some criticism.
The overall feeling is positive. I think Matheus (Nunes) has already answered this question, but I still want to emphasize it. That was something planned long ago and part of the adaptation process.
If we didn't go to the beach, we would have to stay in our hotel rooms. From a physical perspective, that might not be the best option. Because there isn't much space in the hotel for us to move around, and it's not conducive to having some team time together. Through these moments, we can create some good memories and foster a better team atmosphere, joke around, relax – these are all important.
But we are also used to it; no matter what we do, some people will view it positively, and others negatively. I also want to convey a message to the Portuguese people, and to all of you: we are doing everything possible to prepare ourselves in the best possible way for tomorrow's match and to represent the country in the best way.
Please believe that everything we do, including going to the beach, is for the benefit of all players' physical condition, allowing us to rest better, adjust to the time difference better, and adapt to the sun better. As Matheus said, we don't see the sun often in Manchester, so this adaptation is also important.
Regarding your first opponent in this FIFA World Cup, DR Congo, they are ranked 40 places lower than Portugal. What are your expectations for this opponent? Will they play with a low block? Will they play boldly? What can you say about DR Congo that you have observed?
First of all, in such matches, rankings are not very indicative. The rankings are there, of course, but the points calculation method is not exactly the same for different national teams because they don't play each other often. DR Congo is a very strong team with distinct characteristics. They have many players who play in high-level leagues. Perhaps they don't have as many famous names as our team, but there are also many familiar players, and their careers have developed well. They deserve our full respect.
They are a physically strong team, capable of playing with five at the back or four at the back in defense, which we have analyzed. Their transition ability is also strong, with driving force in midfield and speed up front. But more importantly, we know what we can do and what we must do defensively, not to give the opponent too many chances. Once we lose the ball, our counter-press must be strong enough. Most importantly, we must try to control the game through possession, because this is our advantage, and we are capable of creating many chances. After that, it's about converting as many chances as possible into goals.
I'm João Pinto from "A Bola". You were voted the Premier League's best player by professionals this season, and now you are playing in the national team with two European champions, João Neves and Vitinha. In Portugal, many believe this is the best midfield in Portugal's history. I want to know if you also think so? Also, how do you feel playing with two players of this caliber? Because you just talked about control and creativity.
I feel very good, because our midfield is very strong. João, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Neves, Costa - each of them can bring something different to the Portuguese team. Of course, I won't just talk about the three players you mentioned, because I don't know if they will play together, or if the coach will arrange it that way. But what I do know is that no matter which of the players I just mentioned plays, the national team is very secure in midfield.
As I just said when talking about DR Congo, some names are more famous, some are less famous, but everyone is important. In the Portuguese team, it doesn't matter if you are the Premier League's best player or a European champion. We treat everyone the same way. We are also very aware that teammates around you might also want to play in your position, but at the same time, they will do their best to help you and give their best for the Portuguese team. So I don't really want to discuss it in that direction. I hope that no matter what starting lineup Portugal fields, not just in midfield, but overall, it will have the best 11 players in this FIFA World Cup.