Ricardo Quaresma criticizes the Portuguese national team, highlighting the lack of personality and character in the players and calling for radical change within the football federation.
Although coach Roberto Martínez was already facing criticism and discussions about his future, Quaresma made it clear that the responsibility cannot fall solely on him. "I can't put all the blame on the coach, because the players didn't execute what was required," he added. The former footballer insisted on the lack of players capable of resolving critical situations on the pitch: "Sometimes, you have to be your own coach. You can't wait for the coach to show you every move, especially if you have the quality to do it yourself."
Quaresma also underlined that the team's potential is enormous, with players who are considered among the best in the world, but criticized the attitude shown during the tournament: "We have a high-level midfield, but in this World Cup it didn't perform as expected. Not only was the attack poor, but the defense was also disoriented."
According to Quaresma, each player must have respect for the coach, but must also demonstrate personality and character. He talked about how, in his career, he often made bold decisions on the pitch, following his instincts and the needs of the moment, even if this led to conflicting situations with some coaches. "I've had coaches who didn't appreciate my style of play and replaced me; but I always did what the game required. It's a quality that some of these players don't seem to have."
Quaresma's words highlight a crucial issue for the future of Portuguese football, highlighting the urgency of internal reflection and strengthening leadership, both at a technical level and among the players themselves.
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