Quaresma’s Mystery

April 14th, 2006 | By: Luis Paulo | 6 Comments »

The Portuguese press is discussing a lot if Ricardo Quaresma’s absence on the U-21 list indicates or not that he would be capped by Luiz Felipe Scolari to play the World Cup.

The U-21 coach said that if he is going to be at the World Cup or the U-21 European Championship it will be decide later by Scolari and his absence on the list is due to his tiredness because of many competitions he is playing with Porto. Agostinho Oliveira also said that he doesn’t need to evaluate Quaresma once he knows him pretty well.

It’s seems that Scolari doesn’t want to deprive the U-21 team from his best player. Felipão is filled with options to the midfield. It appears to me that Luis Boa Morte and maybe even Simão have a best chance to be playing in Germany.

Agostinho Oliveira will send his final list only 2 days before Scolari does the same. So we might have a clue about Scolari’s plans just a little before.



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Username By Nelson | April 14th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
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I think that he should be selected for the WC. He seems to have a lot of tecnic and to be very dangerous. He would be a good alternative for Scolari in some games.
But, you my friends, what do you think about him ? Any comments ???

Posted from Brazil Brazil

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Username By Pedro P | April 15th, 2006 at 10:28 am
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Well, Nelson, Quaresma is (for me) a highly skilled player. But not yet stable, or ripe, to go. Furthermore, we have a lot of wingers already. Simao and Boa Morte, I believe, will surelly go. Essentially, they are good enough, reliable and played a big nr of qualifying games.

My personal opinion, based from what I saw in the POR vs Saudi Arabia – is that he shouldn’t go. But I think most people want to see hoim going. On a good day, his superiority makes the difference. Not all days are good, though…

Posted from Netherlands Netherlands

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Username By Ceasar Lourenco | April 17th, 2006 at 9:21 am
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I’m of 2 minds on this. While I agree with Pedro that he’s not yet ripe or stable, I also think that maybe what he needs is to be with the likes of Figo, Ronaldo and Deco etc. Maybe in that company he can be humble enough to realise he doesn’t know everything and that the team work approach is what wins.
Our seniors might be able to raise his maturity?? I think we all agree, he’s a diamond in the rough. He needs polishing..
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Username By Pedro P | April 17th, 2006 at 9:46 am
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Quaresma is, beyond doubt, highly skilled. His performances, years ago, with Sporting Lisbon against Inter Milan, strongly contributed the guy going to Barcelona. Didn’t do much there, like Simao Sabrosa (also came from Sporting) previoulsy. Simao returned to Portugal (to Benfica) and so did Quaresma (to Porto). In the beggining of the season he was put in the bench, due to his (infantile) attitude. Now, he’s the team’s attacking engine. What I mean is, he’s been a “diamond in the rough” for quite some time. In FC Porto he is already with Lucho and other top players. I don’t feel it’s his mentality, or that it would change in 1 month. I’m, pretty sure in the comming years we’ll see a duo on the wings made by Quaresma and C Ronaldo – technically they are the best.

One can’t say we don’t have enough of good wingers with our NT. It’s actually what we have the most of. He didn’t play much in the qualification matches. Scolari, as usual, has always prefered consistency.

In the match against Saudia Arabia, we saw an overly eager to “show” and anxious Quaresma – which didn’t materialize in anything but lost chances. We also saw a modest Hugo Viana, but who was involved in one of the goals, gave the team some “coolness” and promoted ball circulation. So, the question is not who is the better or if Quaresma is good. Of course he is good. He is excellent. The question is who will improve, or influence positivelly, the collective. Can he deliver?

I’d say neither of them are “at level” to go, but I feel we might need Hugo Viana more than Quaresma. Although we DO have a lot of very good midfielders, none is a playmaker, apart from Hugo Viana. In such a world cup, I’d go for enough technique but a lot of fightng spirit, team work and guts, over “art”…

Posted from Netherlands Netherlands

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Username By Ceasar Lourenco | April 17th, 2006 at 10:01 am
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Pedro don’t you think a coach like Mourinhino or ManU’s could make him into a fully rounded player?
I guess what I’m getting at is that he just hasn’t had the right coach. At least I’m hoping..

Posted from Canada Canada

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Username By Pedro P | April 17th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
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This is no more than a guess, Ceaser… He CAN be an excellent team member – look at FC Porto.

I feel he must grow though, but also to grow within the national team. He didn’t play much and, eventhough good, his effords never seem to materialize. I don’t feel it’s a coach thing.

Put him with Mourinho and he’ll submit just as well. It’s his was or the highway. :-) But this is also FC Porto’s mentallity, no matter who coaches it.

I DO believe that playing abroad would open his eyes and give him a different type of chances to grow. Especially in England or Spain.

I believe, next time or in the near future, he’ll be THE winger, along side C Ronaldo – this will scare the sh#t out of defenders. But, like the wine, let him mature… AND LEARN that it takes much more than being good to become a champion.

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