Exclusive Foot Africa – Francisco Chaló: "Portugal ready for the 2026 World Cup, Mourinho will bring more discipline to Real" | OneFootball

My future project will definitely focus on working towards set objectives, with clear ambitions for the development of the team and, consequently, the club.Most likely, my next destination will be abroad with a club or even a national team. I have accumulated the experience of over 660 official matches in various leagues, achieving quite satisfactory results.

An experience I would call magnificent. It’s a young club brimming with very promising players (one of the youngest squads in the world) with exceptional sporting and financial returns.There was tremendous work done in a cheerful atmosphere. In the Confederation Cup, we made it through three rounds, including one at the expense of Club Sportif Sfaxien, the record holder for titles in the competition, before reaching the group stage.We are also very proud to be recognized as one of the best teams in terms of quality of play.

As I mentioned, the team was very young, with most players making their senior debuts. However, their development was incredible—some even changed positions to be more effective. But among the four who proved their abilities at the top level in Europe, Hicham Boudaoui (OGC Nice) impressed me the most.

It’s a club with its own philosophy, where youngsters from its academy are given priority. Of course, the coach must be able to help them progress and prepare them for a potential adventure in Europe. This policy has been very fruitful both sportingly and financially, even though the club was relegated to D2 this season.

Portugal isn’t a favorite, but a serious contender for the ultimate prize. Our national team has several top-class players in every area. Never before has the “Seleção das Quinas” had so many talented players. As for the favorites, there’s also Argentina, Brazil, and Spain, who all look very well equipped to win the tournament.

For now, Ronaldo remains crucial for the national team. With him, Portugal is stronger, as evidenced by his goal ratio in the UEFA Nations League and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

If Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid is confirmed, there will certainly be more discipline in the squad. Los Merengues have a constellation of stars who lack rigor and seriousness. In this particular context, he can bring enhanced tactical discipline, alongside perfect collective organization.

I really appreciate certain aspects of both coaches. They are two very different tacticians who have spent a long time at the highest European level. I believe Mourinho’s tactical strategy is stronger, while Guardiola offers a more entertaining style of play.

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