Quaresma Slams Portugal’s ‘Lack of Personality and Character’

Ricardo Quaresma, a veteran of 80 caps for Portugal, has unleashed a scathing critique of the national team’s recent performances, lamenting a perceived lack of “personality and character” among the players. The former winger, speaking on LiveMode, suggested that significant issues need addressing within the Portuguese Football Federation and the coaching staff.

“We have a problem. The federation must sit down and seriously consider what is going wrong. And appoint a coach who understands,” Quaresma stated, even before the widely reported departure of Roberto Martínez. He stressed that the blame could not solely rest on the coach’s shoulders. “I cannot blame the coach alone, because the players also did not do what was asked of them.”

Por que importa

Quaresma believes Portugal is missing players who can take initiative and solve problems on the field independently. He emphasized the importance of adaptability, stating, “Sometimes you have to be the coach yourself. You can train all week on attacking down the left flank, but if the game demands play down the right flank, you shouldn’t wait for the coach to tell you to do it.”

The former international highlighted the disconnect between the players’ status and their on-field decision-making. “We are talking about top players, players who are considered among the best in the world. You cannot wait for instructions from the sidelines,” he argued. Quaresma pointed to specific areas of weakness during the tournament, noting, “We have a great midfield, but they played very poorly at this World Cup. We also had a weak attack and a rudderless defense. Everyone must respect the national coach, but you also need personality and character.”

Contexto

Reflecting on his own approach, Quaresma suggested a different path. “I often got myself into trouble because I did what I thought was right and what the game demanded,” he confessed. “Of course, there were coaches who didn’t like that and even substituted me. That’s fine, those are their choices. But I did what the game asked of me. These players didn’t dare to do that.”

Key facts

Quaresma’s comments underscore a recurring debate in international football: the balance between tactical discipline and individual player expression. For fans of FootballGames10, these insights offer a critical perspective on the mental and strategic challenges facing top national teams, prompting reflection on what truly defines success beyond pure talent. The former star’s candid remarks serve as a stark reminder that even with a squad of world-class individuals, a collective lack of assertiveness and adaptability can lead to disappointing outcomes.

Source: Voetbal International – https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/quaresma-fileert-portugese-ploeg-geen-persoonlijkheid-en-karakter