There are those who prepare for the World Cup with hours and hours of training sessions in the gym and on the pitch, those who unplug by playing the PlayStation and then we find the Portugal. The Slist Portuguese, coached by Roberto Martinezis spending his preparatory retreat for World Cup in Floridaprecisely a Palm Beach Gardens. A seaside location, specifically chosen by the Portuguese federation, to allow footballers to rest on the beach, sunbathe and be influenced by positive energy. However, this choice was seen at home as a lack of concentration and controversies flared up.
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The logistical choice
The Portugal it was the last national team to leave for the United States. Not only because of the debut scheduled for Wednesday at 7:00 pm Italian time against Congobut also for the suffocating heat and the very high humidity present in the retreat Florida. To get used to the infernal climate, Cristiano Ronaldoat the sixth World Cup of his career, and his teammates are spending several hours of their days on the beach. And this choice sparked controversy among the Portuguese media.
PORTO, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 16: Goncalo Ramos of Portugal celebrates his team’s 2-0 goal with teammates during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Portugal and Armenia at Stadio do Dragao on November 16, 2025 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
The Portugalone of the main favorites for the final victory, is receiving several criticisms among its supporters. Journalists and commentators, who came to the USA to closely follow the Lusitanians’ approach to World Cupthey raised a possible lack of concentration and underestimation of the opponent. They insisted on the thunderous flops of two of the most anticipated national teams, the Brazilwhich didn’t go beyond a 1-1 draw against a very good team Morocco and the Spaina real disappointment of this first day, blocked at 0-0 by Cape Verde.
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The players’ response to criticism
He thought about giving an explanation for this singular choice to prepare for a World Cup Matheus Nunesright back and midfielder of Manchester City: “Yes it’s true, we often go to the seasidebut there’s no problem. Spending a lot of time on the beach is an integral part of our preparation… We go to the beach in the morning to get used to the weather here in Florida. I don’t understand the controversy, it seems perfectly normal to me… Do we feel like we spend more time having fun than training? Absolutely not, we respect all sessions“.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 06: Matheus Nunes of Manchester City leaves the pitch with his fingers tied after suffering an injury during the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City and FC Copenhagen at Etihad Stadium on March 06, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
As confirmed by the Portuguese, the choice to spend time on the beach is not the result of improvisation or an underhanded commitment, but a decision studied by the coach Martinez and by the staff to adapt as quickly as possible to the difficult climate. We will see if this choice will bear fruit or if, even the Portugalwill mark the debut.
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