Renato Veiga says Villarreal helped him grow ahead of World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

Renato Veiga credits a season of regular football at Villarreal with sharpening his game as the 22-year-old heads to the 2026 World Cup with Portugal.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the centre-back, speaking at Portugal’s Oeiras camp, said consistent minutes were exactly what he had sought and that sustained playing time is vital at his age.

He joined Villarreal at the start of the season after a previous campaign split between Chelsea and Juventus, where continuity was harder to find. At La Cerámica he found trust, responsibility and an important role in a side that delivered a strong LaLiga campaign.

Marcelino García Toral made the left-footer a mainstay, valuing his duelling power, passing and versatility across centre-back, left-back and even more advanced positions. He fitted a defence that required leadership, physical presence and personality.

The club platform also strengthened his standing with the national team, while he maintains he still has plenty of improving to do despite performing at a high level.

Portugal will play in Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For Veiga, the tournament offers a chance to confirm his progress, and Villarreal will monitor his displays as a team that finished third in LaLiga and return to the Champions League next season.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo