FC Porto right-back Alberto Costa has expressed disappointment at missing the chance to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo after earning his first senior Portugal call-up.
Speaking to journalists at the national team training camp, the 23-year-old defender said it was a great shame that he had not crossed paths with the 41-year-old forward, who stepped down from the Portuguese national squad ahead of the latest international window.
Costa said he would have liked to share a dressing room with Ronaldo during his time with the national side, commonly known in Portugal as the Equipa das Quinas. Ronaldo is men's international football's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, having led Portugal to titles at the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
Ronaldo's absence from the current Nations League squad remained a central talking point around the announcement. Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus admitted that he had intended to include the veteran forward in his selection before Ronaldo decided to step away, while Portuguese football chief Proença paid tribute to the former captain ahead of the squad unveiling.
First senior call-up and competition for places
For Costa, the call-up marks his maiden appearance in the senior Portugal squad after previously representing his country at under-18 and under-20 youth levels. Arriving at the Cidade do Futebol, the Portuguese Football Federation's headquarters and national training complex in Oeiras near Lisbon, the defender said returning to the facility gave him a strong sense of fulfilment.
Costa recalled that he had been working out in the gym when the squad was announced and picked up his mobile phone to watch the press conference live, noting that his reaction to the news had already become public. He described reaching the senior squad as one completed objective and another milestone achieved, adding that he had joined the group as one more player ready to help and wanted to push for further success.
To earn minutes under Jorge Jesus, the newcomer faces stiff competition at right-back from established internationals João Cancelo and Diogo Dalot, both of whom have been regular starters for Portugal at major tournaments. Costa insisted he was not intimidated by the depth in his position, saying he needed to be prepared to seize his opportunity tooth and nail and that he viewed competing alongside Cancelo and Dalot as a privilege.
Praise for Farioli and FC Porto form
Costa arrives on international duty ahead of Portugal's upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17. The UEFA Nations League is a biennial international competition contested by the senior men's national teams of Europe's governing body.
The defender acknowledged that he is enjoying a strong run of form, which he attributed in large part to the collective performance of his club side, Futebol Clube do Porto. One of Portugal's traditional Big Three clubs alongside Lisbon rivals Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Sporting Clube de Portugal, FC Porto compete in the top-flight Primeira Liga.
Costa also singled out FC Porto head coach Farioli for playing a decisive role in his progression to the international stage. He said he owed a great deal to Farioli, explaining that the coach had helped him develop new attributes beyond what he had previously been accustomed to in his game.
Severe weather disrupts Wednesday training
While Costa and his teammates prepare for the matches against Denmark and Wales, adverse weather in Portugal has disrupted Wednesday's training schedule. The Portuguese Football Federation, known by its initials FPF, announced that the national team's Wednesday training session is subject to changing weather conditions.
In a statement, the federation said that all activities scheduled for Wednesday would be assessed in light of the weather forecast and the recommendations issued by the relevant authorities. The bad weather has already affected club football in the Lisbon area, with both Benfica and Sporting cancelling their scheduled Wednesday training sessions.
