'We'll play to win' - Portugal holds final training session before Azteca reopening against Mexico

"Portugal held its final training session in Cancun on Friday before travelling to Mexico City for Saturday's match against Mexico in the reopening of Estadio Azteca. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, midfielder Bruno Fernandes said the players were 'very excited' and under no pressure ahead of the game. "Playing in a mythical stadium like this is very important for us as well. It is a stadium that has a lot of history in the World Cups, too. [...] I think being able to take part in the inauguration of the new Azteca is something very nice for us, and I think we are very excited to play this match and to put on a good show for all the people who come," he said. "We must respect because I think everyone will also respect Portugal and we will respect in the same way, but we know that we will go into every match, whoever it is against, to win," he added. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez expressed his 'total admiration' for the Mexican side and the 'incredible passion' shown by its fans in World Cups. "We have a team that will demand a lot from us in that sense, that is very competitive, and that is also a little bit like our national team. It is a team that is very loved by the people it represents," he said. Speaking about Portugal's World Cup ambitions, Martinez said the team were contenders, but stressed that winning would require breaking the 'psychological barrier' of belief. "The team is built, so to build it, you need commitment, you need team values and little by little, you can grow. And I see all these values in our dressing room," he said. Mexico will host Portugal at Estadio Azteca on Saturday in an international friendly during the FIFA window, as both sides continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the United States and Canada."

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