Renato Veiga stepped into the press room on Wednesday. He looked ahead to Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Ireland. The Villarreal defender felt sure his team would get a good result. He also had high praise for the team’s spirit, noting a strong bond among the players.
Veiga keeps his thoughts on the present. He focuses on the daily grind. “I think short-term,” he explained. “I control my own work, day by day.” While everyone has dreams, his mind stays on his club and the national team. For games, the goal is simple: put the coach’s plan into action. Whatever follows, he says, is just a result of that hard work. This constant focus helps him stay ready for any challenge. “I work daily to be prepared,” he stated. “My teammates do too.” He sees the group as united and full of quality. “Our unity as a group truly stands out,” he added.
Good individual form from a club can definitely boost the national squad. João Félix is a perfect example of this right now. “A player’s current form always helps,” Veiga confirmed. “But club and national teams are different spaces.” He sees the national team as a place of honor, where every player gives their all. Veiga also touched on the team’s strong bond. “Unity was always here,” he said. “We have worked on a spirit of mutual help for a long time.” He believes winning titles strengthens these ties, and the Nations League victory certainly helped. They continue to build on that togetherness every day.
Veiga’s journey through football has been a winding one. He has already played in four different leagues. He thanked his family for the values they taught him. “It’s about my daily work,” he said. “It’s about staying consistent. Good results always come from that.” His father was also a player, so moving around was normal for him as a child. This early exposure to different countries helped him adapt quickly. He had to leave home young and learn new languages. This background helps him handle the quick changes in his career. He chooses not to focus on outside expectations. Instead, he puts his energy into his work and what he can control. This even applies to news about his club, Villarreal, playing Barcelona in the United States. He’d prefer their home stadium, but adapting is key. “Right now, I am with the national team,” he noted. “That is my focus.”
When asked about Ireland’s recent loss in Armenia, Veiga was clear. “We know it will be a tough game,” he said. “All national team matches are hard.” He suggested the Armenia result might be misleading. The field was difficult, and Ireland fought hard. He respects Ireland as a strong team. However, his team’s focus remains squarely on their own plan. Veiga doesn’t demand playing time from Coach Martínez. He understands the competition. “That is up to the coach,” he explained. “We have great quality here. There is good competition in the national team.” He sees all his teammates performing exceptionally for their clubs.
Despite his journey and current position, Veiga admits he still gets nervous when the coach announces the squad list. “Always!” he confessed. “I always watch the coach read the list here. Nothing is guaranteed. We must work every day to get called up.” He has been playing as a central defender lately. He feels most comfortable in that role. But he is ready to help the team wherever they need him. He also spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo, who mentioned playing a few more years. “Only he knows when he will stop,” Veiga said. “It could be many years from now. He is a legend. We must thank him for what he did and still does for football.” When asked which of the four leagues he’s played in suited him best, he couldn’t pick one. Each has its own style: the Premier League’s energy, LaLiga’s play, Italy’s tactical chess, and Germany’s directness. “I just don’t know!” he laughed. For Veiga, it’s about following his path, focusing on what comes next, and the pride he feels every time he gets the call.