"Ronaldo is at peace, and that will help us in stressful moments"

PALM BEACH — After a long day of travel and a significant presence in Palm Beach, with the national delegation comfortably settled in the luxurious Four Seasons, it fell to the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, to set the institutional tone for this campaign on American soil. Speaking to the media immediately after arriving at the hotel, the federation leader did not shy away from responsibility, acknowledging that Portugal's status demands aiming for the World Cup summit, albeit with a grounded approach.

"There's a real sense of ambition here. I'd say we've worked exceptionally well, and with this generation of players, I don't think any Portuguese person would allow us not to have an ambitious discourse. Ambition, knowing that there are eight matches to potentially reach a final, but always taking it step by step. This Federation and the national teams truly possess the mentality of big clubs, and therefore, we must aspire to what is best," Proença stated, aware that the individual quality of the squad legitimizes the dream of winning the World Cup.

When asked about potential scenarios and opponents after the group stage, the FPF leader preferred to focus on the team's maturity, reminding everyone that the journey is long and requires mental flexibility. "We know the first three games are crucial. The group is tough, but preparations are in place for all scenarios. There's a great sense of calm, a great maturity. And this transmission of maturity allows us to understand that we might even start less strongly. Often, teams start slowly and finish exceptionally well, as in the last World Cup. There's a contained, yet legitimate, ambition from those who want to go very far," he emphasized.

Finally, Proença also addressed the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo's presence, downplaying the pressure surrounding what could be the captain's last major tournament: "Our captain is very much at peace, very calm. And that tranquility is felt within the team and will be extremely important in the stressful moments we'll face here, because he is truly a reference."