Francisco Conceicao: Portugal youngsters must exceed Cristiano Ronaldo’s hunger
Portugal played out a disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their tournament opener.
Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao believes Portugal’s next generation have a duty to exceed the “hunger” of 41-year-old team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup.
Portugal played out a disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their tournament opener, and will hope to display marked signs of improvement when they take on Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday night.
The 23-year-old was not even born when Ronaldo made his first-team debut at Sporting Lisbon in August 2022, and said he is not alone in looking up to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for inspiration.
“He’s an example, through his career, through the hunger he demonstrates every day, super motivated to train as if it were his last,” said Conceicao, speaking at a press conference and quoted in Portuguese outlet Record.
“If he’s achieved so much and continues with such hunger, ours has to be even greater. He’s another one who’s here to help; we need everyone for the team to function.”
Conceicao insists his side have maintained an even-keeled approach even after they were only able to walk away with a single point against DRC, a match that reinvoked debate as to whether or not Ronaldo should be included in Roberto Martinez’s starting line-up.
Conceicao said: “If things don’t go well, we’re the first to feel it. No one is worse off; we feel it first hand.
“The pressure is there, we’re used to it. We all play for big clubs. We know there will be more pressure and it’s up to us to respond in the next game.”
Conceicao is carrying on the legacy of his father, former AC Milan boss Sergio Conceicao, who represented Portugal at the 2002 World Cup.
The younger Conceicao said: “I don’t think it went that well, they were eliminated in the group stage!
“It’s always a source of pride to know that my father played in a World Cup and that I’m here now. I hope the story will be different. He said they went in with a lot of ambition and that the goal was to go as far as possible. That one mistake can ruin everything.”
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Benfica defender Tomas Araujo is unavailable for selection after training in a limited capacity in Palm Beach on Monday.
In a post on Instagram Uzbekistan boss Fabio Cannavaro said he took plenty from the World Cup debutants’ 3-1 loss to Colombia, particularly their “mentality and, especially, a very positive second-half performance”.