The national futsal team continues their preparations in Rio Maior, with their sights set on the 2024 World Cup. On Friday afternoon, veteran winger Pauleta spoke to the FPF website, emphasizing that the team remains focused on the upcoming major tournament.
“It’s a great honor to represent the country; it’s always a special feeling. Being here with my teammates is wonderful, and having the chance to compete in a World Cup is incredibly rewarding. Physically, it’s been a challenging week, as expected, but mentally we’re in a good place. Rest is crucial at this stage. These next few weeks will be tough, but we know they’ll pay off in the end,” he assured.
“We need to win every match. However, our main focus is on preparation and how we’ll approach the competition. These preparation matches are invaluable in keeping us sharp,” he said, discussing the upcoming games.
The squad, currently consisting of 16 players, will be trimmed down to 14 before the World Cup, a situation that doesn’t concern Pauleta: “We’re focused on our daily routines. The final selection will be the coach’s challenge. Our job is to give our best during training, and the coach will then select the 14 players who are most ready for the World Cup.”
Despite this, the winger highlighted the positive atmosphere within the team: “We have a strong bond with one another. Time flies by, but it doesn’t feel like it drags. Our work is serious, but there’s always room for some relaxation. We’re always together, all the time.”
In the World Cup, Portugal has been placed in Group E, alongside Tajikistan, Panama, and Morocco. The group stage will take place from September 14 to 20.
