The Portuguese national team is preparing for the 2026 World Cup in North America by paying tribute to their late teammate Diogo Jota. Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the squad were spotted training in Miami with commemorative wristbands to be worn throughout the tournament.
The armbands, designed in accordance with FIFA regulations, were presented to the team by the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luis Montenegro, during a meeting before their departure for the tournament. As midfielder Vitinha explained, each armband contains the names of the players and a special commemoration for Jota. "During the meeting with the prime minister, we received these armbands as an expression of great affection and we decided to wear them on the pitch," Vitinha said.
National team coach Roberto Martinez emphasized the importance of Jota's memory for the team in terms of mental preparation for the tournament. Jota was an important figure in the dressing room, and his fighting spirit and dream of winning the title for Portugal are expected to inspire the team to success.
Despite the emotional toll, the team is focused on the tactical challenges of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Vitinha noted that humility remains a key feature for Portugal, which is expected to help improve the result achieved at the previous World Cup in Qatar.
The players are training in Miami to get used to the conditions in North America before their first match against the Democratic Republic of Congo next week. The three-country tournament format presents the team with unique travel and climate challenges. "The weather will affect our play, but that applies to all teams. There are no excuses, we have to give our best," Vitinha added.
The Portuguese national team is ready to face all difficulties and realize the dream of winning the World Cup, following the example of Diogo Jota.
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