8 June 2006, by Sean Gillen

Nuno Valente keen to build on Portugal’s “status”

Nuno Valente insists that Portugal intend to use their impressive showing at Euro 2004 to motivate them to more success at the World Cup.

The Everton defender was part of the side that reached the final of the European Championships on home soil two years ago, and believes that his country have now set themselves a high standard at International level.

“I think we created a bit of a status in the last European Championship and that is very important because if you create a status, you can have ambition to create something more,” Valente told ‘The Evertonian’.

“And you can do nothing better than the title. We have an ambition of doing even better than we did in the European Championships.”

Valente has also spoken of the importance of the fantastic support the team receives from the Portuguese fans, and is adamant that the team don’t want to let their country down.

“We had great support from the Portuguese people then (Euro 2004) and I’m sure we will carry on having that great support during the World Cup.”

“We know there will be a lot of people watching us and wanting us to do well. I’m sure we will feel the pressure but you have to learn to deal with certain situations,” he said.

“In the end, we are representing our country in a World Cup, which means a lot to us. As a player, you just have to be on the same level outside and try to keep focussed so as not to disappoint anybody.”