After Portugal knocked out Slovenia through a tough penalty shootout and managed to break into the last eight of the UEFA Europa League, the team's defender Cancelo was interviewed by the media to share his feelings about the tournament and his outlook for the future.
Cancelo began by saying that although the match was challenging, Portugal dominated throughout and eventually won on penalties. He admitted that the team lacked composure in certain moments, but was convinced that Portugal were deserving winners.
Speaking about his personal performance, Cancelo made special mention of how motivated he was by the support of his family. He revealed that he only had his daughter cheering him on at the game, and that the news that his wife had just given birth to their second daughter was also encouraging. This family strength made him more focused and committed during the game, especially in the second half, when he felt he could do more and try to respond to the regrets he had in previous international competitions.
For the upcoming match against France, Cancelo showed great confidence and expectation. He believes that although the French team is strong, the Portuguese team is well prepared. He emphasized that the team trains hard every day and all players are full of responsibility for the national team. In addition, he also mentioned the contribution of the substitutes to the team, arguing that Portugal is a team with 26 strong players and everyone must be ready.
Speaking about teammate Diogo Costa, Cancelo spoke highly of him. He believes that Diogo Costa is very capable and is an integral part of the team. He particularly praised Diogo Costa for his excellent performance in the game and attributed the victory solely to his efforts and contributions. Cancelo also praised Diogo Costa's professional attitude and humble qualities, describing him as a top professional.
Finally, Cancelo expressed his expectations for the match against France. He said that the Portuguese team has entered the final stage of the tournament and is eager to compete with the best teams. He believes that the team will be well prepared to meet the challenge of France.
