A lot of Goans support Portugal when
it comes to international football. We may not live long enough to see India
play in the World Cup so why not support a team you connect with. Portugal has
a lot of fan favourites from big premier league teams like Diogo Jota
(Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Man City), Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo (Man Utd)
which make them a team to watch out for in Qatar.
– Conrad Barretto, Football Dugout, Margao
The World Cup
with Portugal wouldn’t be worth watching for a lot of Goan fans, to add to that
world cup without Ronaldo? They were unlucky to be in this situation in the
first place but it’s time to sit back and wait for the World Cup now and cheer
for the team and hope they go on to win it.
– Duncan Rodrigues, Corporate Executive, London
The Portuguese
team looks very good on paper but they are still lacking the cutting edge in
matches which makes them look very weak but we all hope the team can turn the
tables around and go all the way. This time they have a formidable attack with
the likes of Jao Felix, Bruno, Bernardo Silva and one of the greatest players
in the game Cristiano who might be playing his last ever World Cup so we hope
the team does its best!! Viva Portugal.
– Shashwat Kamat, Vasco FC Goa Fan Club
It indeed feels
good when your favourite team qualifies for the World Cup and this might as
well be CR7s last Fifa World Cup and I hope we try to lift the cup for the
country, for its fans and of course for the legendary CR7. It’s been a roller
coaster ride for him and for us and to win the cup would be really special for
him and the fans. The win was even more special for Man Utd and Portugal fans
across the globe as Bruno won the match vs North Macedonia scoring a brace. All
eyes are on the Fifa World Cup now…There’s always a special connection
between Goans with Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo… Viva Portugal!
– Kunal Kunkolienkar, FC Goa Fan Club, Margao
If not for our
former Colonial masters a small state like Goa wouldn’t have been a force in
Football in our country. Having said that, Goans have always had an affinity
towards Portugal and Brazilian football teams. So much so that we have a statue
of Ronaldo in Calangute. Goans simply revere him. Not to forget the surnames
Goans share with the Portuguese teams. So yes Viva Portugal. Viva Goa. Joga
Bonito.
– James M Mendonca, Porvorim, FC Goa Fan
Portugal are in
their rightful place by qualifying for the world cup. It would not have been
right to have a world Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo. The last dance is on for
the greatest ever to grace the game.
– Malcolm Fernandes, Corporate Executive, Canacona
They were
extremely lucky to qualify. Even though they have a good team on paper they are
not close to the golden generation of Figo, Maniche, Carvalho, Nuno etc.
Further Portugal goes in the tournament it’s good for F&B business in Goa
for obvious reasons… So fingers crossed.
– Ryan Rodrigues, Entrepreneur, Margao
It’s going to
be Ronaldo’s final dance for Portugal at the Fifa World Cup. They have
qualified and it will be a honour to see him on the pitch for the final time
for him team his home team vamos Portugal.
– Shawn Fernandes, Entrepreneur, Vasco
And finally
Portugal qualifies to the delight of the many fans in our state. It always
feels like a festival when Portugal plays in the World Cup and to the joy and
delight of many fans in our state they’ve finally made it to Qatar. They have
an underrated squad. When you talk about the top nations like France, Belgium
and some others come to many minds but this Portugal team is well balanced and
led by the global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Being his last WC, he’ll be
hungry to get this missing trophy. I wish them all the very best for a
successful campaign in Qatar.
– Gaurav Mahambre, Corporate Executive, Porvorim
The stage looks
set for the final dance for arguably the two of the greatest players of our
generation, Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi, who will be most certainly
playing their last Fifa World Cup. Although Argentina booked their place in the
greatest Football show some time ago, one of Goa’s favourite team Portugal had to
wait till the Final Play-off against North Macedonia to confirm their
participation.
I am pretty sure that many Goan fans
have already planned to be in Qatar given it’s just about 3 hours by flight
from our Dabolim Airport and I guess no football fan should miss this
opportunity as it may take a long time for the world cup to be staged in our
neighbourhood…!
– Omi Tunes, Musician
& Football Enthusiast
The World Cup
would be incomplete without the G.O.A.T. Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s amazing to
witness him for probably the last time in the biggest competition on the world
stage. Goa has a lot of history with Portugal, a lot of Goans support them. I
hope they make all of us happy with their performance in the World Cup.
– Calvin Barreto, Entrepreneur, Margao
