CR7's brief frustration, the captain's armband, and reuniting with Jorge Jesus: Rúben Dias' full press conference

— Tomorrow you face Denmark, but there are still plenty of loose ends surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and the recent controversies involving the national team captain. As one of the vice-captains, how do you assess everything that has unfolded recently?

— From my perspective, and I believe from the entire squad's, there are no loose ends whatsoever. We are fully focused and ready for tomorrow's match.

— As one of the leaders, how did you view the captain heading straight down the tunnel without acknowledging the supporters after such a vital win in Norway? Has his status, which he has held for over a decade in the national team, become more of an issue or a benefit for the squad?

— It was just a 10, 15, or 20-second moment of frustration, which takes nothing away from the commitment he has shown to our national team for more than 20 years. In the heat of the moment, he had those brief seconds of frustration, and five minutes later we were all together in the dressing room celebrating a huge, important victory for all of us.

— But is there no danger of it affecting his relationship with the rest of the squad? Have you discussed it?

— No, I don't believe there is any risk of that at all. I've said all there is to say on the matter.

— Following up on that: can you guarantee there is no friction within the Portugal camp after the events of the last two days? Is the dynamic between the squad and the captain completely normal?

— I understand the question, but the truth is — and you'll see it in training today — there is genuine joy, you'll see us smiling, you'll see a happy group. It's a new cycle, and we are all thrilled to be embarking on this new journey. We've won two games and we're excited about what lies ahead.

— This is the second time you've stepped up to face the media following a controversy — first in Palm Beach regarding the beach trip during the Martínez era, and now with Cristiano. Do you see yourself taking over the captain's armband in the near future?

— Well, time will tell on that front. But rather than focusing on that, I'd say the national team has always operated on seniority, caps, and accumulated experience — at least since I've been here. That's how it works to this day, and naturally, things take their course. I'm here today, just as I have been in the past, to stand up for our national team and our country.

— Following that big win in Norway, what is the team's mindset heading into this stadium, knowing from past experience just how tough a venue it is?

— It's true, matches here are never easy. They have a very well-drilled, complete, and dangerous side. We are fully aware of that from recent encounters and from their pedigree as a football nation. Because of that, we know only our best version will allow us to come away with a win. That is our sole focus. We want to be strong tomorrow and enjoy the game. At the end of the day, it's also a rare chance to play consecutive fixtures for the national team, and representing this shirt is an enormous privilege. We want to do it with a smile on our faces and secure the win.

— Jorge Jesus has spoken extensively about the team's defensive structure across these first two games. What has changed defensively compared to the past, and how has it been reuniting with the manager?

— It has been a very positive reunion. To answer the first part, a lot has changed. I think this will be the first major step toward achieving our goals. As the boss often says, a team is always much closer to winning if it defends well. I — and I believe the whole squad — firmly buy into that. You can gradually see the manager's influence taking shape on the pitch and how we've embraced his vision. On a personal level, having worked with him before, everything becomes much easier when the ideas make clear sense.

— Portugal was drawn against three very physical, powerful opponents in this group. From a player's perspective and based on the manager's instructions, would your tactical approach or workload management differ against more technical, expansive sides?

— Our approach naturally has to adapt to what we are facing. It's not about altering our core identity — neither now nor ever. It's about being aware of who we are up against and understanding the specific threats each opponent poses. From there, it's about knowing the crucial moments where we must stay resilient and solid. Beyond that, it's about staying true to ourselves, showing our quality, and playing our game. With this being a new cycle and a new tactical approach, the early priority is buying into those ideas as quickly and effectively as possible. But yes, adjustments are always needed. This is indeed a physically demanding group, but that only adds to our excitement. It's a vital opportunity for us to grow together in this new era.

— In the first half against Norway, you produced an incredible goal-line clearance just as Haaland was getting ready to celebrate. With your experience and career at the top level, what impact does a moment like that have during a match? Walk us through that play and how it shaped your performance...

— In terms of the psychological effect, I think you're overthinking it. Quite simply, it's my job. That's what I'm out there to do, period. As for the play itself, it stemmed from an unpredictable bounce — a cross that Diogo Costa couldn't cleanly deal with. From that point on, it's all about reading the danger, positioning yourself as best as possible, and making the intervention.

— It comes down to a winner's mentality...

— Absolutely, it comes from having a winning mentality, which is shared by myself and my teammates. At the end of the day, we are here to win, to enjoy our football, and to take pride in wearing this shirt. Typically, when a Portuguese player reaches this level, it's because they are a winner, and those moments define who we are.

— Given your experience and role as a vice-captain alongside players like Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, who have known Cristiano for years, how do you handle incidents like Norway, or even the 2022 World Cup when he was benched? Do the senior players talk through these moments together?

— Honestly, speaking for myself, Bernardo, and Bruno, none of us attach nearly as much weight to this as your question suggests. These things happen in football, to him just as they do to anyone else. Show me a player who has never had a disagreement with a manager, a tricky situation, friction, or a moment of frustration — often directed at themselves for missing a chance or conceding a goal. It's completely natural in football and in life. The key is to keep things in perspective and move forward with the same drive.

— A question regarding Manchester City. While we are on international duty, could the club's current off-pitch situation and potential sanctions spill over into the national team setup? How closely are you following it, and does the threat of punishment concern you?

— I completely understand the question, but I hope you understand that I won't be commenting on anything unrelated to the national team.

— How do you rate players like Joachim Andersen and Rasmus Højlund?

— Rather than focusing on individuals, even though both are top-quality players, they are part of a very complete Denmark side. They play excellent football, carry a constant threat, and have caused us problems in the past. We have the utmost respect for what they bring. We head into tomorrow fully aware that only our absolute best football will secure the victory.