'Cristiano Ronaldo? I admit I was nervous'

— What was your first interaction like with Cristiano Ronaldo in the national team?

— The first time we met, he congratulated me. I remember arriving at Cidade do Futebol and bumping into him near the entrance, where he was speaking with a member of staff. That was my first interaction with him, and I admit I was nervous, meeting my idol and the person who inspired me to become a footballer. In my eyes, he is the best player in the world. I greeted him, he congratulated me on the season I was having, and made me feel completely at ease, saying he was there to help with whatever I needed.

— What is he like in the dressing room?

— Cristiano is an undeniable presence and a true role model for everyone.

— Who is the best player you have ever played alongside?

— Setting aside the national team, where I had the privilege of sharing the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo, I can name a top four that includes, in no particular order: Morgan Gibbs-White, Tiago Silva, Rafa, and Rodinei. That is one from each of my last four clubs. They are all exceptional players, capable of deciding a match at any moment.

— Who were your childhood idols and role models?

— In my position, it was always Cristiano Ronaldo. I also saw a lot of myself in the way Diogo Jota plays. More broadly, I loved watching Ronaldinho and Messi, but my biggest inspiration was always Cristiano.

— You have faced Jack Grealish on the pitch, and many fans point out the physical resemblance between you two. Did you talk about it?

— In the first match we played against each other, in Manchester, we both started. He came up to me and joked, 'So you are my twin brother.' You could tell he was well aware of the comparisons being made. It was a funny moment; we swapped shirts and took photos together. It was a fun and comical situation. Bernardo Silva had actually already sent him a photo of me when I joined up with the national team.