Paris Saint-Germain manager, Luis Enrique, has backed Portugal, which is led by Cristiano Ronaldo, as one of the favourite teams to win the 2026 World cup.
He said that the team that won the UEFA Nations League is really strong, and that every player on the team has their own unique abilities.
Enrique spoke to the media and hailed Roberto Martinez for the good effect he’s had on the Portugal national team.
He also said that the manager has done a great job since he moved on from his role with Belgium.
He believes the former Everton manager turned the 2016 UEFA Euro champions into a solid team capable of competing for the World Cup this year.
He told World Soccer Talk, “In my opinion, there’s no doubt they are one of the best teams that can win the World Cup.
“There are also other strong teams, like Spain, along with the usual top teams. Portugal still has some really great individual players.
“For a long time, Portugal has been sending its players, coaches, and sports directors to work in different parts of the world. You can see Portuguese all over the place, and they do it really well.”
He mentioned that with the current setup, including a Spanish coach, the mix really grabs his attention.
When asked which team he would support if Spain was eliminated from the World Cup, he right away said he would like Portugal to win the trophy.
“They are definitely one of the teams we often talk about because of their amazing individual players, and they set the standard for the national team.
“What they are missing is winning a World Cup. I hope it’s Spain, but if not, I’d like it to be Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo has said he wants to play for Portugal in the FIFA World Cup because they won their qualifying games,” he said.