Win Projections to be updated soon
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about his recent interaction with 17-year-old Geovany Quenda, one of the brightest prospects in Portuguese football. Quenda, who plays as a winger for Sporting CP, has been called up to the Portugal national team for the first time following a series of impressive performances at the club level.
During a candid conversation, Ronaldo revealed how Quenda was visibly shy during their first meeting. The 39-year-old Al-Nassr star, who has been a key figure in the Portugal national team since his debut in 2003, shared a moment where he approached Quenda to check on him after a game.
“Many of them are embarrassed to talk to me! A little while ago, I was going up to my room, and I saw the new boy, 17 years old, Quenda. I went to him and said: ‘So, have you recovered from the game?’. I saw that he was embarrassed,” Ronaldo recounted, acknowledging the mix of awe and nervousness that young players often feel when interacting with the football icon.
Despite the generation gap, Ronaldo emphasized that he sees himself more as an older brother than a father figure to the younger players in the squad. “I don’t say I’m a father, but an older brother. It could be a father to some, and as I said before, I’ve been through the same thing as them, and the national team is a family. We’re focusing on the Nations League, which is a fun competition and one that Portugal wants to win,” he added.
Quenda, who has risen through the ranks of Sporting CP’s youth academy, has already made an impact in the Primeira Liga, scoring a goal and providing an assist in just five appearances this season. His call-up to the national team is a testament to his potential and the bright future that lies ahead for the young talent.
Portugal is set to face Croatia in their UEFA Nations League Group A match in Lisbon on Thursday, September 5. The team will then take on Scotland in another crucial clash on Sunday, September 8. As the team prepares for these important fixtures, Quenda will have the invaluable experience of learning from and playing alongside one of the greatest footballers of all time.
In another segment of the interview, Ronaldo was asked about his mindset regarding being a substitute for Portugal, a role he has rarely had to embrace throughout his illustrious career. The forward, known for his competitive spirit, made it clear that he still sees himself as a starter. However, he also expressed his willingness to respect the decisions of the coaching staff, reflecting his professionalism and commitment to the team.
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“In my mind, I’ll always be a starter. That’s what you think. Until the end of my career, I’ll always think that I’ll be a starter. I’ll always respect the decisions, not just of the coach, but at the clubs I’ve played for, I’ve always respected them… once or twice, they’ve also behaved badly towards me [laughs]. But seriously, whenever there’s professional ethics, I’ll always respect the coaches’ decisions,” Ronaldo stated.
As Ronaldo continues to add to his remarkable tally of 130 goals and 45 assists in 212 appearances for Portugal, the veteran forward remains a crucial figure both on and off the pitch, inspiring the next generation of Portuguese footballers like Geovany Quenda.
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