Martinez: Jota s family decides to entrust 21 to Neves; Portugal fights for him

Hupu, August 29, Portugal's national team coach Martinez attended the pre-match press conference of the international competition in September.

Speaking of...Jota left everyone forever

This was the first training camp that Diogo Jota was absent. We know what he means to each of us and we hope to remember him every day.

He will be with us and become another force in our achievement. His role model is our beacon. We will keep his spirit in mind. We will win for Diogo, for his brother Andre, and for all the Portuguese people we have been doing, and we will always win, our list will always +1, and we will always have his place. Will the team feel this pain and special power because of Diogo Jota's absence?

There is a personal factor in this, but I think Diogo's absence will strengthen our sense of solidarity and responsibility because he is eager to win the World Cup and we are here to achieve this dream.

So the responsibility is heavier?

Portuguese's goal is to win, and we accept that this is our pressure. Our focus is to continue to move along this path, continue to improve tactics and performance on the court, and improve everything we have shown to win the National League.

September is a tough month and a new season for the players and we need to have a good start. Continuing to stay in the current state is a challenge for us.

Felix went to Saudi Arabia, and Mora might go too. Is this a good transfer for an 18-year-old player?

I have said many times that there is no absolutely right choice; the important thing is to compete, accept challenges, develop and grow.

Felix is ​​25 years old, but has rich experience. Mora is in a normal stage; there are tough moments and good moments in the football world. It is important to keep your attitude. He has extraordinary talent and I love him.

Head coach Louis Frere will talk about him. We think this is a great opportunity to play a big role in the U21 national team. This is not a downgrade, but a step in his continued development.

Saudi Arabia? We have other examples, Ruben Neves, Ronaldo...what matters is not the league or national team; what matters is the role of the players in the locker room.

The number of players selected and Joao Cancelo's return. Is this a strong core lineup?

The focus is now on September. The UEFA roster is 26, and we have no injuries to Semedo and Leo.

Cancelo was also selected for the national team, but he left due to injury, but we have a group of players close to the national team: Mangas, Nazionho, Joao Mario, Mattus Fernandez, Kunda... The important thing is to build a competitive team, but anyone can be selected for the national team.

We hope to make progress in the next six games and go a step further on the June basis.

Semedo and Leo's injuries?

This is part of the daily work of the coaching staff. We will keep an eye on all the players and have a lot of information, but unfortunately, they are absent.

The strength of the national team is reflected in being able to win in injuries and difficulties... We have a huge and important team, and I can handle the situation where players are absent due to injuries.

Are you considering recruiting Paulinho?

Gonzalo Ramos is the player with the most goals per minute in Europe, and Ronaldo... Our national team likes to have two forwards, but we will pay close attention to all players.

Will you start a new cycle of the national team with stronger strength?

It is a very important psychological moment for the team to win the championship by defeating a strong team like Spain in Germany. What’s important is to build a team, and we have made great progress. We can face any team in the world head-on, it has nothing to do with talent, but with the vitality and belief in the locker room.

We are facing a new competition; this is part of the same process we started two and a half years ago.

Why did Neves get the No. 21 jersey?

He and Diogo Jota are very close, and this is the decision of Diogo Jota's family.

Are you considering recruiting more newcomers? The goal of the national team is to win, not change for the sake of change. After winning the UEFA Championship, it is important to continue and consolidate what we achieved two months ago. The way we work is to keep an eye on the numerous players. The door to the national team is already open, but we need to create a space for competition, not to change players for the sake of change. We want to do something we have never done before, and that is to win the World Cup.