WORLD FOOTBALL, SUPER LEAGUE HEARTS “Portugal will win the World Cup for Diogo Jota” » The only Super League coach present at the previous World Cup and the top scorer of the play-off team see the Lusitanians as favorites in 2026

• It's a new episode of a special GSP series: “World Soccer, Super League Hearts”, a 48-article set that brings together 48 foreign players who have played in the Super League, one for each national team present, talking with emotion, passion and about each motherland.

• The other episodes can be consulted here.

Filipe Coelho was on the bench at the 2022 World Cup and admits: “The level is top!”

“They have a great national team with many great players. I would like Portugal to play Romania in the World Championship, I would be very happy if Romania gets there. I hope this can happen.

I think Portugal is one of the favourites, but a World Cup is completely and utterly different. I was there at the 2022 World Cup and I know it's top football. It won't be easy, but I hope that Portugal reaches the final, it would be extraordinary”, Filipe Coelho, the coach of the University of Craiova, one of the most popular technicians in the Super League, told Gazeta Sporturilor.

• At the 2022 World Championship, played in Qatar, Filipe Coelho was Paulo Bento's runner-up, alongside Sergio Costa. South Korea was one of the revelations of the competition.

• The Asians reached the last eight, being eliminated by Brazil. They got through a group with Portugal, Uruguay and Ghana, after a draw with the South Americans and an extra-time win even against Portugal.

Filipe Coelho, on the South Korean bench, at the 2022 World Championship (right) // photo: Imago

Ricardo Matos: “Portugal players will give 100% for Diogo Jota”

Ricardo Matos recalls his childhood where football was present at every step. Raised in Portugal, a Benfica fan, he remembers games in the park with his family and football sessions at home, which often ended with vases and broken windows. During his formative years at Benfica's academy he crossed paths with a valuable generation, mentioning names such as Nuno Tavares, Joao Felix, Jota, Gedson Fernandes and Florentino, who he says stood out from an early age.

Regarding the Portuguese national team, Matos believes that the national team is constantly among the favorites to win the World Championship, arguing through the depth of the squad and the quality of the players in the top leagues. He believes the target must be the trophy. Referring to the failures in 2018 and 2022, it underlines the unpredictability of short competitions, where a single moment can decide the course. At the same time, he is convinced that the current generation will fight to the maximum and will also play in the memory of Diogo Jota.

– What do you remember from your childhood in Portugal?
– The main thing is football. Since I was little, the most important memories are related to football. I was playing with my uncle, with my grandfather. I sometimes woke up very early just to go to the park to play football with my father. And at home I was playing, breaking a vase, a window. I didn't have a goal, so I would shoot and sometimes I would break something. My mother would come and yell at me, tell me to stop doing it. I think all the kids I knew when I was little had one thing in mind: football. I was no different.

– I guess you are a fan of Benfica.
– Yes.

• Raised in Benfica's academy, Ricardo Matos also played for Ascoli, Casertana, Olhanense, Portimonense and Belenenses throughout his career.

Ricardo Matos, in the Benfica shirt

– Were you part of a generation with players who are in the top leagues in Europe now?
– Yes, I am from 2000. My generation is 2000. Nuno Tavares is at an extremely high level, so are others. A lot of the players who are at a high level now are not necessarily from my generation, but we crossed paths sometimes. Joao Felix, for example, is 1999. We trained many times together. Jota, from Celtic, Gedson Fernandes, Florentino are other examples, many. It's nice to know where they started and where they are now. Even at that age you could tell they were different from the rest. Of course, they deserve to be where they are.

– Because we are talking about some players who are in the national team circuit, what do you think are Portugal's chances at the World Championship this year? Do you think it might finally be Portugal's year?
– To be honest, Portugal is always there when you think of the list of favorites for the trophy. We have doubles in all positions and extraordinary players, only from the top leagues. It is sure in their minds and I am sure they will bring honor to the country. I strongly believe there are chances, it's football and anything can happen. With the squad that Portugal has, the goal must necessarily be the title.

– What do you think was missing for Portugal to win in 2018 and 2022?
– That's football, it can happen. We won Euro 2016 and we weren't even close to being favourites. At the last World Cup we played much better against France, we went to penalty kicks and lost. It's something that happens in football. It's a competition where one moment can make the difference, it's not a championship. Everything changes from match to match. I think that this year they will give their best and to honor the memory of Diogo Jota, I'm sure they will think about that too.

– What would you give to be on the field at the World Championship?
– To be honest, it's a huge dream for me. The biggest, when we talk about football. When you play for your country… You don't just play for yourself and your family. It's amazing to hear your anthem before the game.

Portugal at the World Championships: the first participation only in '66, the small final since 2006, the best performance!

Portugal's first World Championship was only in 1966, when Eusebio guided the Lusitanians to bronze. A two-decade hiatus followed, until 1986, when Portugal failed to get out of the group stage, then another 16-year hiatus.

Since 2002, Portugal has qualified for every edition of the World Cup, making two “eighths” (2010 and 2018), a small final (2006) and a “quarter” in the last edition, when Morocco eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's team.

Portugal's schedule in Group K, Romanian time:

• June 17, 20:00 » Portugal – Intercontinental Pool 1 (DR Congo – New Caledonia / Jamaica) – NRG Stadium, Houston

• June 23, 20:00 » Portugal – Uzbekistan – NRG Stadium, Houston

• June 28, 2:30 a.m. » Colombia – Portugal – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami