Miguel “Why Can’t We Win The World Cup?”

“Paulo, above all, is a great friend. We’ve known each other for many years now, and I’m sure he wants a place in the first eleven – as I do – but we put the selecção and our friendship above the rivalry.”

“He’s had a great season with another premiership title, and if he’s chosen then it’ll be because he’s done so well. I think the real winner from the competition between us will be Portugal as a whole as the team will benefit from the fact that it’s difficult to find a place in the first eleven.”

As to if his starting in the first eleven in the recent 4-1 win over Cabo Verde in Evora pointed towards an edge, Miguel was ambivalent. “I don’t think so, but perhaps it did. It’s always great to be chosen, but Paulo and I will always be doing our best to be in the first team.”

“We’ve also got different styles as I’m more of an offensive wing back and he tends to play more defensively, although that’s not to say that he doesn’t attack well” stressed Miguel before turning his attention towards predictions for the World Cup.

“The best thing is obviously to win the Cup, but getting to the quarter-finals or semi-finals wouldn’t be a disgrace. And why not the final? After all, the World Cup is a chancy business and I hope that the qualities we have come to the fore at the right time for Portugal. Why can’t we win it?”

Despite the win over Cabo Verde, the defender agreed that there were areas to correct in the rearguard. “Cabo Verde had fast players up front, and that really complicated things for us. After 90 minutes I think we did pretty well, but obviously need to tighten up on marking fast players. “

from Goal.com