The Ricardo Carvalho case has not affected Portugal’s team spirit ahead of tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier away to Cyprus.
The Real Madrid defender reportedly left the Portuguese training camp earlier this week and subsequently announced his retirement from international football later the same day. Hitting back at Ricardo Carvalho’s attitude, Paulo Bento revealed that the player got angry after noticing that he wouldn’t start the match against Cyprus.
The Portugal coach then explained his unwillingness to ever recall Ricardo Carvalho to the team. In a statement at a press conference on Friday, Paulo Bento confirmed:
“As long as I am in charge, Ricardo Carvalho will never play again. It does not make any sense. The door is closed for him.”
Paulo Bento assured anxious Portuguese supporters that Carvalho’s sudden retirement from international football had not caused any trouble among other players in the squad. He concluded:
“What interests us, and we have done it well, is to prepare for Friday's game. The players showed in training that they want to continue defending their place in the group.”
Last month, Portugal warmed up against Luxembourg in a friendly match with they won 5-0. Following that result, Paulo Bento had stated:
“I think we are on the right track and prepared to continue fighting in September for our goal, which is to be at Euro 2012.”
The Portugal coach then explained his unwillingness to ever recall Ricardo Carvalho to the team. In a statement at a press conference on Friday, Paulo Bento confirmed:
“As long as I am in charge, Ricardo Carvalho will never play again. It does not make any sense. The door is closed for him.”
Paulo Bento assured anxious Portuguese supporters that Carvalho’s sudden retirement from international football had not caused any trouble among other players in the squad. He concluded:
“What interests us, and we have done it well, is to prepare for Friday's game. The players showed in training that they want to continue defending their place in the group.”
Last month, Portugal warmed up against Luxembourg in a friendly match with they won 5-0. Following that result, Paulo Bento had stated:
“I think we are on the right track and prepared to continue fighting in September for our goal, which is to be at Euro 2012.”
