Portugal’s under-21 team is gearing up for the European championship, and Pedro Santos is confident they can take the title. As they prepare to face France, one of the tournament favorites, Santos believes his team has what it takes to win.
Santos, who played for Moreirense on loan from Benfica this season, praises the quality of the team led by Rui Jorge. They’ve been training at the City of Football before heading to Slovakia, where the competition will take place. “All the players here have the quality to be part of this team,” he says. “I’m focused on making a good impression in the final stage of the European championship.”
Chasing the title
Portugal is still searching for its first under-21 title, after being runners-up in 2021, 2015, and 1994. Santos thinks the team’s quality gives them a good chance of winning. “We train every day to achieve our goal of conquering the competition,” he says. “We have to stay positive and always aim to win.”
The team has players from top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga. “We have quality, we’re doing well, and we’re one of the teams that can win the European championship,” Santos says.
Santos is also proud of the European title won by Paris Saint-Germain, which has four Portuguese players on its roster. He’s happy to see former teammates succeeding at the highest level. “I was watching the game with the other players,” he says. “I’m especially happy for João Neves, who I’ve known for many years. It’s great to see him thriving.”
Inspiration from teammates
Santos looks up to Neves as an example of how to succeed in football. “What he’s achieved is something that represents us all,” he says. “I’m happy for him, and it motivates me to work harder.” With the under-21 European championship just around the corner, Santos and his teammates are ready to put in the effort to bring home the title.