LISBON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva on Monday wished Portugal's national football team "the most successful" match before next week's Brazil World Cup.
"I want to wish you all, players and technical team, the best success in Brazil, that you will give joy to the Portuguese," Cavaco Silva told the players at Presidential Palace.
"You should not have the smallest doubt that, despite the distance, the Portuguese will be by your side, with enthusiasm, joy and with strong hope, and with the conviction that you are giving the best of yourselves in the name of Portugal."
He highlighted that the team would be "ambassadors for Portugal" during the World Cup and handed them a national flag, asking them to take it with them to Brazil.
Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw with Greece on Saturday in a World Cup warm-up at the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon, as they struggled without Cristiano Ronaldo, who picked up an injury during the end of the European Champions League on May 24.
Ronaldo, the world's best football player, was also absent on Monday in the warm-up before the big game, and there are concerns regarding whether Portugal would be able to make it in the World Cup without Ronaldo's presence.
Ronaldo arrived a week to the warm-up, due to Real Madrid's presence in the European Champions League final, and is said to be at his hotel receiving treatment along with players Pepe and Raul Meireles.
The national team leave at 4.15 p.m. Monday to the United States where they will stop off before heading to Brazil on June 11.
Portugal, which is in Group G, will face Mexico on June 6 in Boston and Ireland on June 10.
The World Cup game will start from June 12 in Sao Paulo, Brazil and end in July 13.
|
