TIG Post

Tag: Portugal

  • Portugal’s under-15 team calls up Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., father congratulates him

    Portugal’s under-15 team calls up Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., father congratulates him

    Cristiano’s Ronaldo’s eldest son has been called up to the Portugal Under-15s squad for the first time.

    The 14-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia with his father, who signed for the Pro League club in December 2022.

    Portugal great Ronaldo, 40, posted a picture on social media of his son’s name on the national team squad list along with the message, “Proud of you, son”.

    Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. has earned a call-up to represent Portugal in an upcoming youth tournament in Croatia, scheduled to take place from May 13 to 18.

    During the competition, Portugal will face off against Japan, Greece, and England.

    Meanwhile, his father, Cristiano Ronaldo Sr., remains an active player for Portugal and holds the all-time men’s international scoring record with 136 goals.

    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner famously led Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016, though an early injury in the final forced him to watch most of the match from the sidelines.

    He later captained the team to another triumph in the 2019 UEFA Nations League.

    Most recently, in March, the 40-year-old forward found the net but also missed a penalty in Portugal’s dramatic victory over Denmark, a win that secured their place in the Nations League semi-finals.

    Ronaldo Sr., a former Manchester United star, is also a father to four other children: seven-year-old twins Eva and Mateo, Alana Martina, also 7, and Bella, who is 3.

    Ronaldo Jr’s career so far
    Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.’s budding football journey has closely followed his father’s illustrious career, with the young forward developing his skills in the youth academies of some of the world’s biggest clubs — including Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, and currently Al-Nassr.

    During his stint with Juventus’ youth setup, reports suggest he once netted an impressive 58 goals in a single season. While at Manchester United, he shared the pitch with Kai Rooney, son of former England captain Wayne Rooney, as their fathers reunited at Old Trafford for a second spell.

    Ronaldo Jr. has also gained online attention for mimicking his father’s trademark ‘Siu’ celebration while playing for Al-Nassr’s youth team, with several clips of his performances going viral.

    Though he has been named in Portugal’s U15 squad for an upcoming tournament, Ronaldo Jr. remains eligible to represent other nations, including the United States, where he was born, and Spain, where he lived during his father’s time at Real Madrid.

  • Ronaldo scores as Portugal beats Denmark to secure semi-final spot

    Ronaldo scores as Portugal beats Denmark to secure semi-final spot

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal and missed a penalty as Portugal defeated Denmark in an exciting match to qualify for the Nations League semi-finals.

    The game ended 3-3 on aggregate in regular time, forcing extra time. Just seconds into the extra period, Francisco Trincão put Portugal ahead after Kasper Schmeichel saved a shot from Gonçalo Ramos. Ramos later sealed the win with another goal five minutes before the final whistle.

    The match was full of drama from the start. Denmark’s Patrick Dorgu fouled Ronaldo in the penalty area, giving Portugal an early chance to score.

    However, Schmeichel made a great save to deny Ronaldo. Despite this, Portugal kept pushing and took the lead seven minutes before halftime when Denmark’s Joachim Andersen accidentally headed Bruno Fernandes’ corner into his own net.

    Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside just before halftime, and Denmark equalized through Rasmus Kristensen’s header, putting them back in control of the tie.

    In the second half, Ronaldo put Portugal ahead again in the 72nd minute, scoring from close range after Fernandes’ shot was saved. But Denmark quickly responded, with Christian Eriksen finishing a cross from Dorgu just four minutes later.

    With only four minutes left in regular time, Trincão scored with a powerful shot to make it 3-2, forcing extra time. Early in extra time, he struck again, extending Portugal’s lead. Later, Ramos finished off a pass from Diogo Jota to secure a 5-3 win for Portugal on aggregate.

    Before the match, Bernardo Silva was honored for earning his 100th cap for Portugal.

    Portugal will now face Germany in the semi-finals after Julian Nagelsmann’s side beat Italy 5-4 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Denmark will shift their focus to their World Cup qualifying matches, starting with a game against Scotland.

  • Denmark-Portugal clash: Højlund refutes claims of mocking Ronaldo with ‘Siu’ celebration

    Denmark-Portugal clash: Højlund refutes claims of mocking Ronaldo with ‘Siu’ celebration

    Rasmus Højlund has clarified that he did not mean to disrespect Cristiano Ronaldo when he performed the Portuguese star’s famous ‘Siu’ celebration after scoring Denmark’s winning goal against Portugal on Thursday in Copenhagen.

    Højlund, who came on as a substitute, netted the decisive goal in the 78th minute to secure a 1-0 victory for Denmark in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal.

    After scoring, the Manchester United forward ran to the corner and copied Ronaldo’s well-known celebration, while the Portuguese legend watched from the field.

    “It’s for my idol,” Højlund told Danish broadcaster TV2 after the game. “It wasn’t to mock him or anything. He’s had such a huge impact on me and my football career. Maybe it’s a bit ambivalent, but to score against him and Portugal, it’s huge.

    “I remember him scoring from a free kick in 2011 when I went to watch the match, and since then I’ve been a huge Cristiano fan.”

    Højlund has struggled to score for Manchester United this season, the same club where Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.

    Denmark had an early chance to take the lead when Christian Eriksen stepped up for a penalty in the 24th minute. However, Portugal’s goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, guessed correctly and dived to his right to block the shot. Before this, Eriksen had successfully converted 12 penalties for Denmark and had not missed one since 2016.

    Meanwhile, Ronaldo made his 218th international appearance, extending his record. However, he was unable to add to his impressive tally of 135 international goals.

  • Former Real Madrid player Pepe retires at 41

    Former Real Madrid player Pepe retires at 41

    One of football’s most illustrious careers has come to an end, as legendary defender Pepe announced his retirement on Thursday at the age of 41.

    The Portuguese and Real Madrid icon leaves the game with an impressive haul of 34 trophies amassed over a remarkable 23-year professional career.

    Born in Maceio, Brazil, Pepe moved to Portugal as a teenager to join Maritimo. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning a spot on the first team in his second season.

    After three years with Maritimo in the Primeira Liga, Pepe’s talent caught the attention of Porto, where he signed in 2004 and began making a name for himself.

    In 2007, after securing two Primeira Liga titles with Porto, Pepe made a high-profile move to Real Madrid.

    Over the next decade, he became a key figure for Los Blancos, featuring in 229 La Liga matches and helping the club secure three league titles, two Copas del Rey, and three Champions League trophies.

    After a brief 18-month period with Besiktas, Pepe returned to Porto for the final six years of his playing career, adding two more league titles and four Tacas de Portugal to his collection.

    On the international stage, Pepe made his debut for Portugal in 2007 and earned 141 caps, making him the third-most-capped player in the nation’s history.

    He represented Portugal in five European Championships, including Euro 2024, and four World Cups. A highlight of his international career was playing a pivotal role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph.

  • Nottingham Forest welcome Portugal’s Jota Silva

    Nottingham Forest welcome Portugal’s Jota Silva

    Nottingham Forest have secured the signing of Portugal international Jota Silva from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria on a four-year contract.

    The 25-year-old forward netted 15 goals in 42 appearances for Vitoria last season, which led to his first international call-up by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez in March, earning him two caps..

    “We can see how excited Jota is to continue his career journey beyond Portugal where he has enjoyed such a strong period in the Primeira Liga with Vitoria,” Forest football officer Ross Wilson said.

    Forest finished 17th in the Premier League last season, narrowly avoiding relegation by six points.

    Under the leadership of Nuno Espirito Santo, the team netted 49 goals in the league.

    However, the Portuguese manager is eager to further strengthen his attacking options.

    In their summer transfer activity, Forest has secured the services of Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic and Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson to enhance their midfield.

    Additionally, defender Marko Stamenic has been signed from Partizan Belgrade but will spend the season on loan at Olympiacos.

    Meanwhile, goalkeeper Carlos Miguel has joined the squad from Brazilian side Corinthians.

  • France knocks out Portugal in 2024 Euros

    France knocks out Portugal in 2024 Euros

    France triumphed over Portugal in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after a tense match in Hamburg.

    Theo Hernandez clinched the victory with his decisive penalty, following Joao Felix’s miss that hit the outside of the post, marking the only error in the shootout.

    The French players immediately rushed to celebrate with their fans, while a disheartened Portugal team, who had previously won a shootout against Slovenia, acknowledged their supporters with applause. This match marked the end of an era for Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who had announced that this would be his final European Championship.

    The much-anticipated duel between 39-year-old Ronaldo and France’s Kylian Mbappe did not live up to expectations as neither player made a significant impact.

    Ronaldo successfully converted his penalty, while Mbappe, who was wearing a mask due to a broken nose, had to be substituted in extra time after sustaining a blow to the face, preventing him from participating in the shootout.

    The match itself was closely contested with few clear opportunities.

    Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha were both thwarted by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and France’s Randal Kolo Muani saw his shot deflected narrowly wide by Ruben Dias. Eduardo Camavinga also missed a golden chance, sending his shot wide from close range.

    During extra time, Ronaldo had a prime opportunity to score but sent Francisco Conceicao’s cutback over the bar, leaving fans in disbelief. Portugal’s luck finally ran out as they faced their second shootout in consecutive games.

    France now advances to face Spain in the semi-finals in Munich, with the match scheduled for Tuesday at 20:00 BST.

  • Portugal to face France in UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinal match

    Portugal to face France in UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinal match

    As Euro 2024 progresses, the highly anticipated quarterfinal showdown between Portugal and France promises to be a riveting contest. Both teams, considered tournament favorites, have had their fair share of struggles, particularly in their attacking departments.

    Portugal’s journey to the quarterfinals has been a rollercoaster. The Selecao began with two victories but then suffered a surprising defeat to Georgia.

    Their advancement to the quarterfinals was secured through a dramatic penalty shootout win over Slovenia. While Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes have managed to find the back of the net, veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo has faced challenges in front of goal.

    The 39-year-old, participating in a record sixth European Championship, missed a crucial penalty against Slovenia in extra time, leading to an emotional outburst.

    Although Ronaldo converted in the subsequent shootout, his place in the lineup is under scrutiny as his goal-scoring prowess appears to be waning. Despite taking the most shots in the tournament (20), Ronaldo has not scored in his last eight Euro matches.

    On the other side, France, pre-tournament favorites and two-time world champions, have also been underwhelming, failing to score from open play so far.

    Kylian Mbappe, recovering from a broken nose sustained in the opener, scored a penalty against Poland, while France’s other two goals have been own goals by their opponents.

    Assistant coach Guy Stephan defended Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann amidst criticism, highlighting the difficulties Mbappe faces playing with a protective mask and the fatigue from a grueling season. Stephan emphasized Griezmann’s experience and contributions, noting his 133 caps and 44 goals for France.

    Both teams’ misfiring forward lines will need to spark to life if they hope to advance. The winner of this contest will face either Germany or Spain in the semifinals in Munich.

    Friday’s match is also a nostalgic rematch of the Euro 2016 final, where Portugal stunned host nation France with a 1-0 victory in extra time, thanks to Eder’s goal. France will be aiming for their third European Championship title, while Portugal seeks to add to their solitary 2016 triumph.

  • Video: Ronaldo breakdown in tears after penalty miss

    Video: Ronaldo breakdown in tears after penalty miss

    Portugal’s star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, was overcome with emotion after missing a crucial penalty in their Round of 16 match against Slovakia in the 2024 Euros on July 1, 2024.

    With the game still tied at 0-0, Portugal was awarded a penalty at the end of the first half of extra time.

    Ronaldo stepped up but missed the shot, as Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak correctly guessed the direction and made the save.

    During the halftime break of extra time, Ronaldo was visibly emotional, shedding tears as he received encouragement from his teammates in the dugout.

    Players like Diogo Dalot played a key role in helping Ronaldo regain his focus.

    Despite the missed penalty, Portugal eventually triumphed in the penalty shootout, defeating Slovakia 3-0. Ronaldo successfully converted the first penalty kick in the shootout.

    Goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerged as the hero of the night, making three crucial saves to secure Portugal’s victory.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOgE-R–Qqg
  • Portugal book their place in the last 16 as group winners at Euro 2024

    Portugal book their place in the last 16 as group winners at Euro 2024

    Portugal secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 as group winners with a comfortable victory over Turkey in Dortmund.

    Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva opened the scoring midway through the first half, striking past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir after Nuno Mendes’ cross was deflected into his path.

    A calamitous own goal from Turkey’s Samet Akaydin doubled Portugal’s lead, as the defender passed back to Bayindir without looking, resulting in the ball rolling into the net.

    Portugal extended their lead when Cristiano Ronaldo set up Bruno Fernandes for a simple tap-in.

    The win means Portugal will face Group F opponents Georgia next, with their place in the knockout stages already secured. Turkey, on the other hand, can still qualify when they face the Czech Republic.

    Portugal’s performance was praised by manager Roberto Martinez, who highlighted the team’s preparation and level of play.

    “We played at the same level as we did against the Czechs. We scored first and that changed what Turkey could do. We can face the third game with many players deserving to be in the starting XI,” Martinez said.

    Martinez also commended Ronaldo for his unselfish play, noting that the forward’s assist to Fernandes exemplified the team’s ethos.

    “I saw today something that is spectacular, to have Ronaldo, who is an out-and-out goalscorer, looking for the assist. It is an example that should be shown in every academy in Portugal,” Martinez added.

    Despite the loss, Turkey’s Vincenzo Montella remained optimistic about his team’s chances, highlighting their performance against one of Europe’s best teams.

    “I think we played equal with one of the best teams in Europe. They were much more clinical and that made the difference,” Montella said.

    The match was marred by pitch invasions, with several individuals attempting to take pictures with Ronaldo, leading to frustration from the Portugal captain.

    Portugal’s convincing win reaffirms their status as contenders in the tournament, with fans hopeful of a successful campaign in Germany.

  • Euro 2024: Pitch invaders seek Ronaldo selfies, Martinez worried

    Euro 2024: Pitch invaders seek Ronaldo selfies, Martinez worried

    Portugal’s manager Roberto Martinez has expressed serious concerns over pitch invasions after fans repeatedly entered the field during their 3-0 victory against Turkey at Euro 2024.

    The match, held at Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, was interrupted several times as fans tried to take selfies with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

    In total, five individuals breached the pitch, prompting security guards to chase and restrain each one, much to the frustration of players and spectators.

    The disruptions began with a young boy who Ronaldo graciously hugged and posed with for a photograph.

    However, the interruptions continued, causing visible annoyance, particularly when a fan entered the pitch while Portugal was preparing to defend a corner in the second half. Ronaldo, clearly irritated, had to push away another fan at full-time before being escorted off the pitch by security.

    “It is a concern. Today the intentions of the fans were good. We all love a fan who recognises the big stars and icons,” Martinez said post-match.

    “But you [must] understand there’s a difficult moment if their intentions are wrong. We need to be careful. It shouldn’t happen – there’s a lot of security. We should give a message to the fans also because it is not the right way. It may get worse for the future. It’s not good to have the players so exposed on the pitch.”

    Despite the disruptions, Portugal’s Bernardo Silva seemed less alarmed, describing the invasions as more of an annoyance than a threat.

    “It’s just a bit annoying in terms of always having to stop the game because a fan enters the pitch,” Silva commented. “I think that’s the price you pay for being so recognised in the world of football and having a player like [Ronaldo] with us in the team. But in terms of being in danger, no I don’t feel that personally.”

    The situation has raised questions about the adequacy of security at Westfalenstadion, especially since the venue is slated to host a semi-final match.

    Ian Dennis, senior football reporter for BBC Radio 5 Live, noted, “The security here has been lacking and this stadium will host a semi-final – they’re going to have to tighten it up.”

    Uefa’s disciplinary body is expected to review reports from match officials before deciding on any potential actions.

  • Ronaldo’s place in the national team squad based on merit – Roberto Martinez

    Ronaldo’s place in the national team squad based on merit – Roberto Martinez

    Cristiano Ronaldo has secured his spot in the Portugal squad for Euro 2024 “on merit,” according to head coach Roberto Martinez.

    Ronaldo, set to become the first player to participate in six European Championships, was previously benched by former coach Fernando Santos during the 2022 World Cup, sparking speculation about his potential retirement from international football.

    Since then, Ronaldo has moved from Europe to play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. After netting 50 goals for Al Nassr last season, the 39-year-old has been selected for Euro 2024 in Germany. Martinez affirmed that Ronaldo’s selection is well-deserved.

    “Cristiano is in the national team on merit,” Martinez told a news conference on Monday ahead of Portugal’s opening Group F game against Czechia. “Nobody gets into the national team by just having a name. Cristiano scored 50 goals in 51 games—consistent with his club in his league—and he scored nine goals in our qualification rounds.

    “He’s a goal scorer and for us, he’s someone who can make that final move. He can stretch defences and open spaces. Over the years, he has changed his way of playing slightly, but I can only say that Cristiano is in the national team on merit and the numbers are there to back that up.”

    Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain, is poised to start against Czechia in Leipzig after showcasing his fitness with a full 90-minute performance in the final warm-up game against Ireland.

    He scored twice in a 3-0 victory, bringing his international goal tally to 130 in 207 appearances for the national team.

    “He represents inspiration; he represents that everything is possible,” teammate Rúben Dias said of Ronaldo. “He represents that you can dream and you can achieve it. He represents a lot of things, but mainly, I would like to say that it’s a pleasure to have him with us.

    “More than all these little things, his being with us in this moment of his career shows that he really wants to win again. He’s our captain and we follow him until the end.”

  • Portugal beats Ireland in Euros warmup with Ronaldo scoring twice

    Portugal beats Ireland in Euros warmup with Ronaldo scoring twice

    Cristiano Ronaldo netted two goals, leading Portugal to a 3-0 victory over Ireland on Tuesday in their final warm-up match before Roberto Martinez’s squad heads to the European Championship in Germany.

    The 39-year-old Ronaldo’s second-half brace came after Joao Felix opened the scoring at Aveiro Municipal Stadium, located south of Porto.

    Next Tuesday, Portugal will face the Czech Republic in Leipzig. The team will also compete against Turkey and Georgia in Group F.

    Ronaldo, who missed last week’s friendlies against Finland and Croatia, hit the post with a free kick in the 22nd minute shortly after Felix’s goal. He then found the net in the 50th and 60th minutes.

  • Plastic pellet tide washes up on coast of Spain

    Plastic pellet tide washes up on coast of Spain

    People who live near the northern coast of Spain are worried about a big environmental problem. Millions of small plastic pellets have washed up on the shore after falling off a ship.

    Over 1,000 bags of small plastic pellets, called nurdles, are thought to have spilled from the Toconao ship, which is run by the Danish company Maersk, on 8 December.

    Many people are helping to clean up the spill in the north-west Galicia region.

    An alarm has been raised on the Asturias coast in the east.

    It’s thought that around six containers fell from the Toconao ship, which is from Liberia. This happened about 80km west of Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal. One of the containers had 26,000kg of pellets. The other containers had clingfilm, tyres, and tomato sauce.

    Many beach towns have been seeing lots of small white pellets washing up on the shore since December 13th.

    The areas around the port town of Noia in Galicia are the most affected. Also, fishermen in Vigo have been trying to find sacks of pellets in the ocean, but it’s been difficult because of the rough seas.

    The authorities are looking into the spill and are worried that it might spread to the eastern coast near the Basque country.

    The small plastic balls, which are less than 5mm wide, are hard to clean up and are used to make things like plastic bottles. Volunteers are searching through sand and sifting water to find plastic pellets.

    The government in Galicia says that for two weeks, the national government did not tell them about a problem with pollution in the ocean, and did not put a plan into action to deal with it. The government says it told the people in charge of the coast what was happening.

    The growing problem with plastics reminds people of Spain’s worst environmental disaster in 2002. A ship called the Prestige broke apart near the Galician coast, causing a spill of over 60,000 tons of heavy fuel oil along the coastline.

    Officials say the small balls are made of plastic that won’t harm you. However, people are worried that the large amount of pollution could harm animals, the natural world, and the fishing business in that area.

    The Ecologists in Action group says they will complain about the Danish shipping company.

    Small plastic pellets called nurdles can be eaten by animals and add to the problem of plastic pollution in the food chain, which can also affect humans.

    PET is not able to break down naturally, and any small pieces that are not picked up will stay in the environment for hundreds of years.

    About 300 million tons of small plastic pellets called nurdles are made each year. It is believed that about 230,000 tons of waste end up in the oceans.

    In 2017, about 2. 25 billion small plastic pellets spilled from a ship parked in Durban, South Africa.

    Three years later, 10 tons of pellets fell into the sea near Germany when a container on the MV Trans Carrier was broken in a storm.

    Tiny plastic pieces from the South African spill traveled all the way to Western Australia, which is 8,000km away.

  • Missing Madeleine’s parents receive an apology from Portuguese police

    Missing Madeleine’s parents receive an apology from Portuguese police

    The police in Portugal said sorry to Madeleine McCann’s parents for how they dealt with her going missing when she was three years old.

    Madeleine disappeared from a vacation place in the Algarve in May 2007.

    A group of important officers from Lisbon went to London earlier this year, according to BBC Panorama.

    They said sorry to Gerry McCann, who is Madeleine’s dad, for how the investigators looked into the case and treated his family.

    The McCann family has chosen not to say anything about the apology, and they still haven’t found out what happened to their daughter.

    In September 2007, four months after Madeleine disappeared, Kate and Gerry McCann were considered suspects in the Portuguese investigation. Both were asked by detectives, who thought they had planned and hidden Madeleine’s body .

    Mrs McCann said someone offered her a deal. The deal was that if she admitted to hiding her daughter’s death, she would get a shorter time in prison.

    The couple’s status as suspects were removed in 2008, but they continued to be suspected of wrongdoing in Portugal for many years.

    Goncalo Amaral, the main detective in charge, was taken off the investigation. He later wrote a book accusing the McCanns of playing a part in their daughter’s disappearance. He said he was protecting his image as a professional.

    The Portuguese supreme court dismissed the McCann’s lawsuit against the former detective because of the things he said about them in his book. The couple asked the European Court of Human Rights for help, but they did not win their case in September 2022.

    The couple has also faced a harsh and hateful online campaign accusing them of causing Madeleine’s death and trying to hide it.

    They also told the BBC that they had given the McCanns information about their ongoing investigation.

    The officers helped the German authorities who think that a German man named Christian Brueckner, who is 46 years old, murdered Madeleine McCann.

    Hans Christian Wolters, a German prosecutor involved in the case, was glad about the apology from Portugal.

    “It’s a positive signal,” he said, also mentioning, “It indicates progress in the investigation of the McCann case in Portugal. ”

    Mr Wolters plans to finish investigating Brueckner within the next year. He has not been accused or charged with anything related to Madeleine McCann’s disappearance so far, and he has openly said that he was not involved in her disappearance.

    Brueckner lived close to the Praia da Luz resort while the McCann family was on vacation there. He spent time in the area from 2000 to 2017.

    The Portuguese investigators declared him as a suspect, and now he is in prison in Germany for seven years. He committed drug trafficking and raped a 72-year-old woman in the same place where Madeleine disappeared in 2005.

    Earlier this year, German authorities searched a reservoir in Portugal for three days to find evidence connecting a missing British toddler’s disappearance to Brueckner.

    “We believe that he played a role in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and we believe that he killed Madeleine McCann,” said Mr.

    Brueckner has been accused of committing three more rapes, sexual assault, and assaulting a child. The five crimes are said to have happened in the Portuguese Algarve. Wolters said they will have a trial in February 2024.

    Brueckner’s lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher, stated that his client chose not to say anything, as he had the right to remain silent.

    “We understand what is in the files and I believe the charges are built on weak grounds,” stated Mr.

    Kate and Gerry McCann have not shared their thoughts on the apology from the Portuguese police. They also remembered their daughter’s disappearance on 3 May, which marked 16 years. They mentioned that they still miss Madeleine a lot and are hoping for a big development in the case.

  • CR7 still in form as he marks 127 international goals in another resounding victory for Portugal

    CR7 still in form as he marks 127 international goals in another resounding victory for Portugal

    Cristiano Ronaldo remains in excellent form, as evidenced by his recent achievement of reaching 127 international goals in another impressive victory for Portugal during the Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

    Despite their prior triumph in the 2016 tournament, Portugal has already secured their spots for the upcoming summer competition in Germany.

    Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, continues to defy his age by setting an extraordinary example on the field.

    At 38 years of age, he has now amassed 200 appearances for his national team, further solidifying his status as a record-breaking goal scorer in men’s international football.

    In a commanding performance on Monday, Portugal defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0, with Ronaldo contributing two more goals to his remarkable tally.

    CR7


    Reacting to that success on social media, Ronaldo has said, “Another win and great play by the whole team. First place in the group is guaranteed! We are still going strong!”

    Ronaldo’s exceptional form extends to his club performance this season, as he has notched an impressive 17 goals in as many appearances for Al-Nassr, a Saudi Arabian team.

    Reports suggest that this football legend is eager to extend his extraordinary career, both at the domestic and international levels, with the goal of participating in the 2026 World Cup finals.

  • Brutal police statement of British man’s death by stabbing in Portugal

    The police in Portugal said that a British engineer stabbed and killed another person at a festival. After being arrested, the engineer did something disrespectful to the person’s body.

    A 27-year-old man named Josh James Menkens was sent to prison yesterday after being asked about the death of a 37-year-old British man. The British man died after a music event organized by Menkens at a distant community in Portugal.

    The detectives did not say anything about the investigation after other British people told them about the very horrible crime.

    However, in a very detailed statement last night, they explained how Menkens, who is from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, is accused of hiding his victim’s body after brutally attacking him in a forest near the location of the four-day festival known as the Mad Hatters’ Tea Party.

    At first, it was believed that the person died while playing a dangerous game called Blue Whale. However, the investigators later confirmed that this was not the cause of death.

    The alarm was raised on Sunday morning when some people from England went to a police station in a town called Figueiró dos Vinhos in Portugal.

    The police say that they have arrested a man in the town of Soalheira. He is accused of killing someone and disrespecting a dead body. The police had help from the Pedrogao Grande police force.

    The person who was accused of a crime is from another country and they planned a party on a remote piece of land. They took the person who was harmed to a forest area that was far away from other people. They had a knife and used it to harm the person with very strong force, stabbing them in many different areas of the body, which led to their death.

    After the suspect killed someone, they hid the body by using branches from trees and clothes.
    Here is a simplified version of the text: The story goes on: ‘The person who was harmed was a man from another country who was 37 years old. He had come to Portugal to take part in the activity and it seems that he didn’t know the person being accused personally.

    We don’t know why the crimes were committed yet, but it doesn’t seem like they have anything to do with games or online challenges.

    The person who is 27 years old was at his first meeting with the judge where they decided to keep him in jail while they investigate.

    The place where the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party happened is owned by Xavier Hancock, who went to public school, and his partner Arantxa Atauri from Spain.

    There is no evidence that the couple had anything to do with the stabbing that happened early Sunday morning.

    Earlier this week, Mr. Hancock mentioned that since this investigation is still ongoing, he will only respond to questions from the authorities whom we are working closely with.

    ‘If they show the proof, I might share the story. ’

    A promotional advertisement for the festival said it would be a fun event with good music and friendly people. It asked people to be nice to themselves, each other, and the environment.

    Tickets cost €50 (£43) and included four nights of camping at the event. However, guests were also given the choice to upgrade their accommodation to luxurious camping options called ‘glamping’, which could cost up to £120.

    Investigators found a knife next to the dead body of the 37-year-old person. The body and the knife were left in a small open area in the forest.

    There might have been an examination done on Monday in the city of Coimbra, but the findings have not been shared with the public.

    A person who knew Menkens talked about how surprised he was when Menkens got arrested.

    The person who owns a nature-based vacation place where the British person stayed to relax from their busy job said: “He stayed here for a week and afterwards we had a casual business relationship, where we tried to help each other find small independent work opportunities. ”

    ‘We were aware that he was from the UK and had a very hectic schedule, working 50 to 60 hours a week. He needed to take some time off and unwind. ‘

    He said, “When I met him three years ago, I thought he was a really good guy in his mid-twenties. ”

    We got along well, he liked our daughter and the animals on the farm, and he had a great time here.

    ‘He was a little man with a large smile, and he didn’t give off any signs of aggression. ‘
    Josh’s dad, Troy, talked to Mail Online yesterday and said: ‘I got a surprise call from him late Sunday night. ‘

    My son was speaking very fast and confusingly, talking nonstop and saying things to me. I was trying to stay relaxed and figure out where he was being kept and how I could go there.

    The businessman from Australia said, “When I received a call, I was surprised and gathered my thoughts. I asked, ‘Where are you. Which police station. ‘” Then, I booked a flight and took a taxi there the following morning.

    I didn’t know a lot about the festival. I knew he was coming for a festival but didn’t know any specific information about it. I wasn’t worried because he has never done anything to make me worried.

  • Brit man fatally stabbed whiles playing game in Portugal

    Brit man fatally stabbed whiles playing game in Portugal

    A man from Britain was killed by being stabbed in a forest in Portugal. It is said that this happened while he was playing a dangerous game called the Blue Whale,which is about self-harm and suicide.

    A 26-year-old man, who is believed to be British, has gone to the police and admitted to the crime, according to Spanish sources.

    The victim, aged 35, sustained injuries during their involvement in the dangerous game called Blue Whale, infamous for its link to suicidal actions, as indicated by reports.
    The internet challenge has caused many deaths worldwide.

    The police found the person who was hurt or killed in a far away forest area between Poco Negro and Soalheira, close to the town of Pedrogao Grande, on Sunday.
    Their friends told them about the victim and they all went to the scene early on Sunday morning.

    One of the friends admitted to killing him while they were playing the game.

    Portugal’s Policia Judiciaria force is currently leading the investigation.

    Yesterday,investigators interviewed at least three men and two women, one of them being the main suspect who is from Britain.

    This morning, it wasn’t known how many of them will have to go to court or when it will happen.

    The people who raised the alarm are believed to have been at a party on Saturday night near the place where the body of the dead man was found. Then they went to a secluded area in the woods.

    The PJ has not said anything official yet.

  • Child abandoned in Portuguese hospital due to insurance delay

    Child abandoned in Portuguese hospital due to insurance delay

    A two-year-old boy is currently hospitalized in Portugal. Returning to Wales for medical assistance is has become a challenge for him.

    Theo Jones, who lives in Maesteg, Bridgend county, has a sickness in his brain. He needs to go to the hospital in Cardiff for treatment, but his parents say that the insurance company is taking too long to approve it.

    They are worried that his condition will get worse and he won’t be able to go back home. AXA Partners insurance company has been requested to give their thoughts.

    Theo got sick on September 13th while on a vacation in Portugal with his family. Two days later, he had to go to Faro Hospital in an ambulance.

    His parents were first told that he had a sickness in his stomach, but a scan called an MRI showed that he had a problem in a part of his brain called the cerebellum.

    His mom, Sarah Jones, said that their wonderful talkative and energetic boy can no longer speak, sit, or walk.

    She said that the doctors told her that they thought a virus was hurting Theo’s brain.

    Sarah said she talked with University Hospital Wales in Cardiff, and they agreed to move Theo there.

    The doctors told Theo’s parents that he could go on a trip, but he would have to travel by a special plane for people with medical needs.

    “She said that we just need to take him there now. ”

    Sarah, her husband, and their five-month-old daughter are currently in Portugal. They need to move out of their place in early October.

    She said the insurance company told them that Theo was a very important case, but they hadn’t given them any new information since getting a medical report on Tuesday.

    Sarah said she had to ask her taxi driver to help her understand some of the documents because the company didn’t have a translator at that time.

    She said that AXA wants to wait for two more days to see if Theo’s condition gets better.

    However, she didn’t understand why they were waiting for him to get worse when he’s already been given permission to travel because he’s currently in a stable condition.

    I am unable to talk to the people who are making these choices. She said that they are a mysterious group within AXA that nobody can seem to access or understand.

    It’s a very bad dream. We have the cover now, they have taken the blame. They are not doing anything right now.

  • The moment has come to address global injustices – Portugal

    The moment has come to address global injustices – Portugal

    The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has expressed his support for the President of the UN General Assembly’s request for countries to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the UN.

    Rebelo de Sousa said that it’s simple to come here every year, say the same things, and not actually do what you promised.

    “He kept saying that every year we waste time. And now, he thinks it’s time for the UN members to start making peace, working together, and fixing the unfairness in the world. ”

  • 2,200,000 litres of red wine flood town after distillery tank ruptured in Portugal

    2,200,000 litres of red wine flood town after distillery tank ruptured in Portugal

    In the countryside of Portugal known for its vineyards, even the accidents that happen in factories have a sense of sophistication.

    The people of São Lourenco do Bairro were surprised on Sunday when a nearby distillery’s tanks broke and caused 2. 2 million liters of red wine to spill onto the road.

    A video shows a big river of alcohol going down a steep hill while surprised people watch.

    The winemakers at Levira Distillery were supposed to put the product into bottles when their tanks unexpectedly broke, causing a lot of liquid to spill out, enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

    But it wasn’t all joyful and fun – there was a lot of wine that overflowed the local area, which caused a warning about the environment.

    They had to change the direction of the red wave to prevent it from polluting the Cértima River that is close by.

    The Anadia Fire Department successfully redirected the fire towards a field, according to reports from the local media.

    However, Levira had to dig up the land soaked with wine to prevent any future issues.

    A lot of wine spilled into a village in Portugal because the tanks at a vineyard broke open.
    The distillery said: ‘We will take full responsibility for paying for the costs to clean and fix the damage. We have teams ready to start right away. ‘

    ‘We promise to fix this problem as fast as we can. ‘

    The basement of a house near the Levira site had wine flooding in it, according to the fire department. However, it was not clear if the homeowner was upset or happy with what happened.

    A similar thing happened at the Bodegas Vitivinos winery in Villamalea, Spain, three years ago, but only 50,000 liters were released back then.

  • Ronaldo doesn’t believe Portugal will win the World Cup

    Ronaldo doesn’t believe Portugal will win the World Cup

    Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds a pessimistic view regarding Portugal’s chances of winning the World Cup.

    Although his perspective may potentially evolve in the future, at present, he does not believe that Portugal possesses the necessary attributes to secure a World Cup victory.

    During a recent lie detector test conducted in collaboration with Binance, a global company renowned for operating the largest cryptocurrency exchange in terms of daily trading volume, Ronaldo attempted to conceal his true sentiments regarding this matter.

    “Will Portugal win the World Cup?” the interrogator, Andy, asked.

    Don (left) and Andy (right)

    Ronaldo replied, “Yes.”

    But the lie detector ruled “Lie”. Not so optimistic Ronaldo then added “What a pessimist, huh?”.

    Cristiano Ronaldo held high hopes of guiding Portugal to a deep run in the 2022 World Cup and ultimately clinching the coveted trophy. However, his aspirations were dashed.

    The 37-year-old Ronaldo left the pitch in tears as Portugal’s journey in the 2022 World Cup concluded with a quarterfinal defeat to Morocco. It was likely Ronaldo’s final appearance in a World Cup tournament, marking his last opportunity to secure football’s most prestigious prize.

    Reflecting on this, Cristiano Ronaldo shared on Instagram, “The dream was beautiful as long as it lasted,” hinting at the possibility of retirement. Argentina beat France to win the 2022 World Cup, cementing Messi’s Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) tag.

    In addition to these insights, Ronaldo also expressed his belief that the Premier League is the toughest league in the world. Furthermore, he regarded his bicycle kick goal as his finest ever, describing it as “the best goal— the most challenging and the most beautiful.”

    Ronaldo affirmed his intention to continue playing professional football well into his forties.

    Contrary to popular belief among Ronaldo fans, the football icon admitted to indulging in fast food frequently. Moreover, he conceded that he occasionally snores, a revelation confirmed by the lie detector, which detected more snoring than he had realized.

    However, one lingering question remains: Would Ronaldo exchange all his Champions League medals for a World Cup trophy?

  • Portugal fights wildfires during the third heatwave of the year

    Portugal fights wildfires during the third heatwave of the year

    In Portugal, thousands of hectares of wildfires are burning, and firefighters are struggling to put them out despite the extreme heat.

    Over 1,400 people had to be evacuated due to a fire that was near the southern town of Odemira overnight on Monday.

    Injuries sustained while fighting the fires total at least nine firemen.

    Much of the Iberian peninsula is likely to experience temperatures above 40C (104F) this week.

    Although three large fires that charred hundreds of hectares of land in Spain over the weekend have been put out, weather alerts are still in effect for much of the nation.

    The highest recorded temperature of the year so far for Portugal was 46.4C (116F) on Monday in Santarém.

    Strong winds caused the fire at Odemira to spread southward into the steep heart of the Algarve, Portugal’s most popular tourist destination, on Saturday.

    About 6,700 hectares (16,600 acres) of land have been damaged so far, and 19 towns, four hotels, and a campground have all been evacuated.

    Helder Guerreiro, the mayor of the municipality, has described the situation as “critical, difficult, and complex.”

    Other significant fires in the country’s middle forced the closure of various sections of highway, notably the A1 between Lisbon and Porto.

    To assist with fighting fires in the two areas, sixteen waterbombing aircraft have been sent.

    More than 120 municipalities in Portugal have been classified as having the highest wildfire danger by the authorities.

    On Saturday and Sunday, fires in Spain charred more than 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) of land near the southern Spanish coastal cities of Cadiz and Huelva as well as in the northern Catalonia region.

    The heatwave that will hit the Iberian peninsula this week will be the third to do so this summer.

    It was brought on by a significant body of hot, dry air from North Africa, according to Ruben del Campo of Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, and would be “generally more intense, more widespread, and a little longer-lasting” than the two that struck in July.

    The likelihood of hot, dry weather, which is prone to start wildfires, is increasing due to climate change.

    Since the start of the industrial age, the world has already warmed by around 1.1C, and temperatures will continue to rise unless governments drastically reduce emissions.

  • Wildfires rage in Portugal as flame ignites national park close to Lisbon

    Wildfires rage in Portugal as flame ignites national park close to Lisbon

    At least nine Mediterranean nations, including the Greek islands of Corfu and Rhodes, have been affected by wildfires that have now reached Portugal.

    Strong winds have made it more difficult for firefighters to put out the fire that has engulfed Cascais, a popular vacation spot 40 minutes to the west of Lisbon.

    At 5 o’clock on Tuesday, hundreds of firemen rushed to the still-active wildfire in the hilly Sintra-Cascais area, which spans an area of about 145 square kilometres (56 square miles).

    Strong winds led the flames to spread, so desperate locals have been using hosepipes and buckets of water to try to put out the fires in their homes.

    After the wildfire started, about 600 firemen were dispatched, and water bombing aircraft have also been employed to fight the blaze.

    Ines Figueiredo, 34, expressed her concern that it will eventually reach the homes as smoke filled the air.

    We provide as much assistance as we can by providing buckets of water. but it doesn’t have much value.

    The mayor of Cascais, Carlos Carreiras, stated that gusts of up to 60 kph would be the main challenge. As a precaution, several residents had been evacuated.

    Local citizen Miguel Medeiros, who has assisted the firefighters in putting out the flames, said, “They (firefighters) do what they can.” “It’s challenging for everyone.”

    According to local authorities, no homes have yet been damaged, and no serious injuries have been reported.

    Although Portugal has so far avoided the wildfires raging across southern Europe, it is often the country most severely affected by wildfires.

    This July, there have been reports of extreme weather patterns all around the world, notably in China, the US, and southern Europe.

    Large wildfires in the Mediterranean have claimed the lives of over 40 people.

    Up to 34 fatalities and 1,500 evacuations have been reported in Algeria as wildfires have been raging there recently.

    Two pilots perished when their Canadair firefighting aircraft fell into a gorge on the island of Evia, which is located close to Athens.

    Storms in the north and heatwaves in the south have both affected the weather in Italy.

    An elderly woman, 88, was also found dead nearby Palermo, Sicily, while a fourth fire victim, a 98-year-old man, was discovered in Calabria, which is located just east of Sicily.

    In the meantime, two people died on Tuesday as a result of falling trees during the storms in the northern part of Italy.

    As wildfires currently flare on the islands of Corfu and Evia, Greece is now planning for additional evacuation flights from Rhodes.

  • Portugal’s President praises Ghana’s democracy

    Portugal’s President praises Ghana’s democracy

    The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has congratulated Ghana for developing a strong democratic culture.

    He praised Ghanaians for distinguishing out among African nations for their commitment to the rule of law, political stability, and peaceful cohabitation.

    “Ghana is not just another country in Africa. You are very special,” President Rebelo de Sousa noted.

    He was speaking at a joint press conference in Lisbon, Portugal, with President Akufo-Addo.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo is on a three-day State visit to strengthen the two countries’ long-standing diplomatic relations.

    The objective is to increase people’s political, cultural, and socioeconomic exchanges.

    The West African country wishes to strengthen multilateral collaboration, promote a better world, and solve global concerns related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Portugal maintains strong historical ties with Ghana, dating back to the 15th Century.

    President Rebelo de Sousa emphasized his country’s commitment to engaging in business with Ghana, given their shared development experiences and mutual interest in addressing global challenges.

    “With these, it is very easy to have good bilateral relations between the two countries,” he stated.

    President Akufo-Addo thanked the Portuguese government for its commitment to advancing Ghana’s voice and interests inside the European Union.

    He hoped that the State visit will give a more robust platform for economic engagement, increasing trade volumes and bringing development to the people.

    He stated that his administration was looking forward to expanding cooperation with the Portuguese government as Ghana sought assistance to decrease poverty to the bare minimum.

    In addition, the government will collaborate effectively with its European counterparts to eliminate irregular migration, insecurity, and human rights violations.

  • Akufo-Addo urges Portugal to support Ghana’s economy transformation drive

    Akufo-Addo urges Portugal to support Ghana’s economy transformation drive

    President Akufo-Addo has called on the government of Portugal to support Ghana in transitioning away from its old economy, which heavily relies on the production, export of raw materials, and foreign aid.

    Ghana aims to build a modern, value-added, and industrialized economy with a focus on modernized agriculture, establishing itself as a self-reliant player in the global economic landscape.

    During a meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the desire for increased trade and investment cooperation between Ghana and Portugal.

    In his address, President Akufo-Addo stated that history held ample lessons that showed “that a rich trading partner, operating within a fair, trading system brings prosperity to both sides, far more than the exploitation of a poor partner.”

    “Trade relations between Ghana and Portugal have evolved through history, and it is clear that a new paradigm has to be defined.”

    “Out of this, a robust trading system between Portugal and Ghana will be created, which will generate mutual prosperity for the peoples of the two countries,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

    Those observations, he stressed, were based on the fact that “we, in Africa, agreed that we have to be self-reliant and shed the image of beggars living on charity, aid and handouts, and make better and more intelligent use of our abundant natural resources in order to pull ourselves out of poverty and attain prosperity.”

    This forum would enhance investment initiatives and foster job creation, particularly for Ghana’s youth.

    The discussions encompassed political, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as multilateral cooperation, focusing on addressing global issues and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Ghana and Portugal ink Defence and Economic Agreements

    Ghana and Portugal ink Defence and Economic Agreements

    In a move to strengthen their bilateral relations, Ghana and Portugal have signed a cooperation agreements on Tuesday, aiming to enhance mutual ties between the two nations.

    They signed bilateral instruments of co-operation in defence, political consultation and trade.

    “This latest form of agreement will go a long way to strengthen the ties of friendship and the bonds of co-operation between Ghana and Portugal.” President Akufo-Addo said at a joint press conference with President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, as part of his three-day State Visit to Portugal.

    He said Ghana was determined “to turn our back on our old economy, which has been dependent on the production and export of raw materials, and also dependent on aid.”

    “We want to build a value-added, industrialised economy with a modernised agriculture, which is neither victim nor pawn of the world economic order. We want our relations with Portugal and, indeed, the rest of the world, to be characterised by an increase in trade and investment co-operation.

    “This is the way to develop healthy relations between our two countries and put Ghana at the high end of the value chain in the global marketplace, and create jobs for the teeming masses of Ghanaians, particularly the youth,” he stated.

    The President indicated that his discussions with his Portuguese counterpart also focused on boosting further political, cultural, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation at the multilateral level and on the need to promote a better world by addressing global issues relating to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “We have noted with satisfaction the value that the Ghana-Portugal Business Forum scheduled to be held tomorrow will add to our investment initiatives, he said.”

    President Akufo-Addo disclosed that the President of Portugal had also resolved to give voice to Ghana’s cause and interests within the European Union.

    Ghana would also help to facilitate the provision of a platform for enhanced economic engagement between Portugal and the member countries of ECOWAS to boost the trade volumes.

    On global security, the President said Ghana and Portugal looked forward to Russia, China and the United Kingdom throwing their support behind United States of America and France towards the reform process of the United Nations Security Council in line with the Ezulwini consensus.

    He assured President De Sousa that Ghana will “collaborate with Portugal to find solutions to challenges such as the eradication of widespread poverty, elimination of irregular migration, insecurity and human rights violations, terrorism and violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, piracy, as well as climate change and its attendant, negative impact on the environment and livelihoods.”

    President Akufo-Addo later called at the Lisbon City Council, where he was handed the keys to the city of Lisbon by the Deputy Mayor, Filipe Anacoreta Correia.

    In his address, the President stated that history holds ample lessons that shows “that a rich trading partner, operating within a fair, trading system, brings prosperity to both sides, far more than the exploitation of a poor partner.”

    “I have come to Lisbon to advocate for increased investment and trade between our two nations. Trade relations between Ghana and Portugal have evolved through history, and a new paradigm has to be defined, which will be dependent on the structural transformation of the Ghanaian economy from a raw material producing and exporting economy, to a value-adding, industrialising economy.

    “This will enable Ghana trade at the high end of the global value chain, dealing in products we make and grow. Out of this, a robust trading system between Portugal and Ghana will be created, which will generate mutual prosperity for the peoples of the two countries,” he said.

  • Ghana, Portugal collaborate to address economic challenges

    Ghana, Portugal collaborate to address economic challenges

    President Akufo-Addo has stated that Ghana is ready to work with Portugal to find answers to the country’s problems.


    During his state visit to Portugal, President Akufo-Addo made the statement while meeting with the Portuguese President.

    He announced the signing of an agreement with the Portuguese government to provide intelligence assistance to Ghana in tackling extremism in West Africa.

    “It is particularly significant for us that at this time when there is so much turmoil in West Africa emanating from the Sahel, we’ve been able to sign this defence cooperation with Portugal.”

    “I assure President de Sousa that Ghana will continue to collaborate with Portugal to find solutions to challenges such as the eradication of widespread poverty, insecurity and human rights violation, terrorism and violent extremism,” he stated.

    President Akufo-Addo embarked on an official visit to Portugal on Monday.

    Subsequently, he is scheduled to travel to Italy, where he will serve as the keynote speaker for the European Corporate Council on Africa and Middle East (ECAM) Annual Summit from 23rd to 24th July. During his time in Italy, he will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss matters of mutual interest between the two nations.

  • Akufo-Addo embarks on state visit to Portugal

    Akufo-Addo embarks on state visit to Portugal

    President Akufo-Addo on Monday, July 17, embarked on a state visit to Portugal, following an invitation from Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

    During his time in Lisbon, Akufo-Addo will participate in the Portuguese government’s EurAfrican Forum on July 19, 2023.

    Subsequently, he has been invited by the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM) to be a keynote speaker at the 4th ECAM Annual Summit in Italy, scheduled from July 23 to 24, 2023.

    Additionally, he will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss matters of mutual interest between the two nations.

    Accompanied by several high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, Minister of Education, Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Minister for Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, President Akufo-Addo is expected to return to Ghana on Monday, July 24, 2023.

  • President Akufo-Addo embarks on state visit to Portugal

    President Akufo-Addo embarks on state visit to Portugal

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has set off on an official visit to Portugal at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

    During his time in Lisbon, President Akufo-Addo will engage in the EurAfrican Forum hosted by the Portuguese government on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023.

    Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo has received an invitation from the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM) to travel to Italy as a distinguished speaker at the 4th ECAM Annual Summit, which will take place from July 23rd to 24th, 2023. During his visit, he will also hold discussions with Italian Prime Minister, H.E. Giorgia Meloni, focusing on matters of shared concern between Ghana and Italy.

    He was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchway; Minister for Defence, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul; Minister for Education, Hon. Yaw Osei Adutwum; Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Bryan Acheampong; and officials of the presidency and foreign Ministry.

    President Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on Monday, 24th July, 2023 and in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60 (8) of the Constitution, act in his stead.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo admits to being “nervous” sometimes ahead of games

    Cristiano Ronaldo admits to being “nervous” sometimes ahead of games

    Cristiano Ronaldo recently made a candid confession about feeling nervous when wearing the jersey of the Portuguese national team.

    Despite being the leading top scorer for his country with an impressive 122 goals, the Al-Nassr superstar openly admitted his feelings ahead of his upcoming 200th cap for the Selecao against Iceland on Tuesday, June 20.

    In an interview with Record, Ronaldo provided clarity on why he experiences nervousness while playing for Portugal.

    The former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace explained the reasons behind his emotions, as quoted by the Daily Post.

    “I’m always nervous in the national team. With the anthem, I’m always nervous. It’s good. It’s a sign of responsibility, pride, and motivation; representing the national team is the height of the career.”

    The 38-year-old continued: “Representing family, parents, friends… If I hope to do more. Obviously, that is why I’m here. That is why I keep on walking.”

    Ronaldo, who is in no rush to call time on his international career, highlighted his contribution to the national team while revealing what could prolong his Portugal career.

    “Living the moment, day by day, seeing my form, I think I’m still doing well, helping, scoring goals and good performances. As long as I’m motivated and everyone else, if those by my side like my presence and leadership, I will not give up the selection in any way.

    “As Bruno Alves said, I will not give away my place for free. Feeling like an asset is pride and motivation. What I want most is to help Portugal,” he added.

    If Ronaldo takes the field for his 200th cap against Iceland, this extraordinary milestone will firmly establish him as the first men’s player in international football history to reach the incredible achievement of earning 200 appearances for his country, per Transfermarkt.

    Ronaldo’s pitch invader gesture

    Sports Brief also reported that Cristiano Ronaldo melted the hearts of football fans with his heartwarming gesture during Portugal’s Euro 2024 Qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Ronaldo, who is on the precipice of international history, was making his 199th cap for Portugal, as Roberto Martinez sought to continue his perfect start to life as Selecao boss.

    A pitch invader, who was wielding a Portugal flag, hugged the 38-year-old before bowing on his knees to pay homage, then lifted Ronaldo and performed his trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration amid cheers and applause.

  • Portugal and Angola establish a new cooperation pact

    Portugal and Angola establish a new cooperation pact

    President of Angola, Joo Lourenço, received António Costa, the president of Portugal, on Monday in Luanda, the country’s capital.

    Ministers from both countries signed a total of 13 agreements ranging from financial to legal.

    “I have to say that we sensed a great willingness to collaborate on the part of the Portuguese justice system, with whom we were able to exchange not only information but also the alignment of Angola’s anti-corruption strategy and to say that in principle everything that was asked of the Portuguese authorities so that we could find the right correspondent”, said Angolan president, João Lourenço.

    The Portuguese prime minister announced a significant increase in the credit line granted to Angola.

    “To support the Angolan government’s ambition and strategic approach to diversifying the country’s economy, we have significantly increased the credit line from one thousand five hundred to two billion euros”, announced António Costa, prime minister of Portugal.

    The cooperation program signed between Portugal and Angola will last until 2027.

  • Women are more than twice as likely to die after a heart attack as men

    Women are more than twice as likely to die after a heart attack as men

    A recent study reveals that women are more than twice as likely as males to pass away from a heart attack.

    Researchers said the findings underscore the need for increased awareness of the risks of heart disease in women.

    The survey also found that women under the age of 55 had to wait 15 minutes longer for care after they arrived at the hospital.

    Previous studies have found that women who have a heart attack when a major artery feeding into the heart is completely blocked – ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) – have a worse prognosis during their hospital stay compared with men.

    Experts suggest this may be because of their older age, increased numbers of other conditions, and stents being used less to open blocked arteries.

    Study author Dr Mariana Martinho of Hospital Garcia de Orta, in Almada, Portugal said: ‘Women of all ages who experience a myocardial infarction are at particularly high risk of a poor prognosis.

    ‘These women need regular monitoring after their heart event, with strict control of blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetes, and referral to cardiac rehabilitation.

    ‘Smoking levels are rising in young women and this should be tackled, along with promoting physical activity and healthy living.’

    The new research compared short and long-term outcomes after STEMI in women and men, and looked at whether any sex differences were apparent in both premenopausal (55 years and under) and postmenopausal (over 55) women.

    The study included 884 patients, with an average age of 62 years and 27% were women.

    Women were older than men (average age 67 versus 60 years) and had higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and prior stroke, researchers found.

    Men were more likely to be smokers and have coronary artery disease.

    While the time between symptoms and treatment with stents did not differ between women and men overall, premenopausal women had a significantly longer treatment delay after arriving at hospital than their male peers – 95 versus 80 minutes.

    Researchers compared the risk of adverse outcomes between women and men after taking into consideration factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke and family history of coronary artery disease.

    At 30 days, 11.8% of women had died compared with 4.6% of men.

    At five years, nearly one-third of women (32.1%) had died compared with 16.9% of men.

    Meanwhile more than one-third of women (34.2%) experienced major adverse cardiovascular events within five years compared with 19.8% of men.

    Dr Martinho said: ‘Women had a two to three times higher likelihood of adverse outcomes than men in the short and long-term even after adjusting for other conditions and despite receiving PCI within the same timeframe as men.’

    The researchers conducted a further analysis in which they matched 435 men and women according to risk factors for heart disease including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking.

    In matched patients over 55 years of age, all adverse outcomes measured were more common in women than men, the study found.

    Some 11.3% of women died within 30 days compared with 3.0% of men.

    At five years, one-third of women (32.9%) had died compared with 15.8% of men.

    Dr Martinho said: ‘Postmenopausal women had worse short and long-term outcomes after myocardial infarction than men of similar age.

    ‘Premenopausal women had similar short-term mortality but a poorer prognosis in the long term compared with their male counterparts.

    ‘While our study did not examine the reasons for these differences, atypical symptoms of myocardial infarction in women and genetic predisposition may play a role.

    ‘We did not find any differences in the use of medications to lower blood pressure or lipid levels between women and men.’

    She concluded: ‘The findings are another reminder of the need for greater awareness of the risks of heart disease in women.

    ‘More research is required to understand why there is gender disparity in prognosis after myocardial infarction so that steps can be taken to close the gap in outcomes.’

    The research, which has not yet been peer reviewed, was presented on Monday at Heart Failure 2023, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology.

  • Pele, ‘great’ now regarded as adjective in Portuguese dictionary

    Pele, ‘great’ now regarded as adjective in Portuguese dictionary

    The football player “Pele,” who is regarded as the best in history, is now an adjective.

    The term “pele” was added to the more than 167,000 words in the Brazilian-printed Michaelis Portuguese dictionary on Wednesday.

    The 265 million or more Portuguese speakers around the world can now use the word “pele” to refer to something or someone outstanding, the same way in which it is currently used colloquially in Brazil.

    “The expression already used to refer to someone who is the best at what they do has been eternalized on the pages of the dictionary!” the Pele Foundation said on Instagram.

    Under the new entry, the word is defined as “exceptional, incomparable, unique” — qualities associated with “The King” of football who died in December at the age of 82.

    The online version of the Michaelis also provides useful examples: “He is the pele of basketball… She is the pele of Brazilian drama.”

    For now, the word has been included only in the Michaelis online version, though it will be added to printed dictionaries in future.

    It is the result of a campaign by the Pele Foundation, the sports channel SporTV and the Sao Paulo football club Santos where Pele played for much of his career.

    Pele scored a world record 1,281 goals during his more than two decades playing with Santos (1956-74), the Brazilian national team, and the New York Cosmos (1975-77).

  • Al Nassr excited over Ronaldo’s record-setting Portugal cap

    Al Nassr excited over Ronaldo’s record-setting Portugal cap

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic appearance for Portugal was lavishly hailed by Al Nassr.

    Given his unwavering dedication to his sport, Ronaldo might not have eaten the cake he was given on Friday.

    Al Nassr was jubilant with the 38-year-old breaking the record for most men’s international appearances.

    On March 23, when Ronaldo made his 197th appearance for Portugal, he scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein.

    Al Nassr commemorated that accomplishment as well as Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s 25th birthday.

    “Today, we celebrate a record and birthday,” the club tweeted. “The record of most capped player in international football [and] the birthday of a talented Saudi player.”

  • Check out Cristiano Ronaldo’s new goal celebration after scoring for Portugal

    Check out Cristiano Ronaldo’s new goal celebration after scoring for Portugal

    Cristiano Ronaldo has unveiled a new goal celebration after finding the back of the net for Portugal against Luxembourg on Sunday night.

    The 38-year-old was in a mood after opening the scoring nine minutes into the game for Robert Martinez’s side.

    The Real Madrid and Manchester United legend raced away towards the left corner as he often does before producing his trademark ‘siuuu’ celebration.

    Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva were also on the scoresheet to make it 3-0 for the 2016 European champions before Ronaldo notched his second and Portugal’s fourth early in the second half.

    As the five-time Ballon d’Or winner landed from his spin, he mixed it up with his other celebration, crossing his hands across his chest, a slight variation on the interlocking fingers.

    Martinez praises Ronaldo’s commitment

    A new era started in the Portuguese national team yesterday as new boss Roberto Martinez managed his first game, a 4-0 win over Lichtenstein inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace.

    As reported earlier, the former Wigan manager quickly spotted a standout attribute in Ronaldo and praised the 38-year-old’s commitment which he said would be a vital experience for the team.

    Winning Euro 2024 is the goal for Martinez, and he has made it clear to Ronaldo that he would demand a lot from him to win the tournament in Germany next year.

    Ronaldo proud to set record Cristiano Ronaldo is feeling the joy of playing football again after a turbulent 2022 in his professional and personal life, Sports Brief earlier reported.

    The 38-year-old had a difficult time off the field, which was not well-acknowledged at Manchester United. This led him to doing an explosive interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan and subsequently led to his contract termination.

    Ronaldo’s 197 international appearances and 120 international goals for his country are world records, according to Sportskeeda, and he could not have been prouder at holding both.

    He took to his Instagram page, which is the most followed in the world and expressed his joy at attaining a new milestone on the international stage.

  • Ronaldo doubles again as Portugal trashes Luxembourg

    Ronaldo doubles again as Portugal trashes Luxembourg

    In the Euro 2024 qualifying match, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal cruised to a 6-0 victory away at Luxembourg.

    Ronaldo scored first, and subsequent goals from Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva made it 3-0 within of 18 minutes. Ronaldo then added another goal shortly after the halfway point.

    Otavio and Rafael Leao, who came on as substitutes in the second half of Portugal’s 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein to begin their qualification campaign and the tenure of new head coach Roberto Martinez, sealed another easy victory for Portugal.

    After two games, they are two points ahead of Slovakia in second place in Group J thanks to their victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

    Portugal took the lead in the ninth minute when a ball to the far post from Bruno Fernandes was headed back across goal by Nuno Mendes, giving Ronaldo a simple tap-in from close range.

    The advantage was doubled just six minutes later, as this time Silva’s inswinging ball from the right was nodded across Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris and into the corner of the net by Joao Felix.

    Silva got on the end of a long pass from Joao Palhinha to head in the third, while Ronaldo grabbed his second and Portugal’s fourth in the 31st minute when Fernandes played him through on goal, with the Al Nassr striker placing his left-foot shot low to Moris’ right.

    Portugal had another in the 77th minute when Leao and Otavio combined, with the latter heading home the Milan attacker’s cross from the left.

    Leao saw a late penalty saved by Moris after winning it himself, but made up for it shortly after when his run inside from the left ended with a composed finish.

  • New Portugal boss ‘falls in love’ with CR7 after managing his first game

    New Portugal boss ‘falls in love’ with CR7 after managing his first game

    Yesterday marked the start of a new era for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo as new manager Roberto Martinez took charge of his first game.

    After former boss Fernando Santos, who led the team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, was relieved of his duties, the former Belgium coach took over the reins of the one-time European champion.

    Ronaldo led his team to a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein, scoring twice, including a delightful free kick in the 78th minute, before making way for young Goncalo Ramos, who shone at the World Cup.

    It didn’t take long for Martinez to ‘fall in love’ with Ronaldo and identify a trait that has distinguished the veteran among the best during his illustrious career.

    Martinez praises Ronaldo’s commitment

    As reported by Sky Sports, Ronaldo set a new world record as the most capped international with his 197th cap for Portugal, surpassing Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

    Speaking to reporters after the game, a delighted Martinez praised the superstar and stated the team would need his veterancy going forward, as reported by Sportskeeda.

    “To be in the national team, you have to be committed. It’s a new cycle. It’s very important that he shows commitment so that we can use his experience, and he shows that commitment,” he said.

    Ronaldo increased his world record for most international goals to 120 with the goals and has now scored every year for Portugal since 2004.

    The Selecao face Luxembourg next on Sunday as the Euro 2024 qualifying series continues.

    Martinez makes demands from Ronaldo Sports Brief previously reported on Portugal’s new coach making his first assignment to meet with the Al-Nassr captain in Saudi Arabia.

    The 49-year-old reported shared his plans with Ronaldo and urged him to help Portugal win Euro 2024 in Germany next year.

    The 38-year-old led his country to their first major victory in 2016 when they defeated France 1-0 in the final to win the title in Paris.

  • Ronaldo reveals he thought of retiring over World Cup frustration

    Ronaldo reveals he thought of retiring over World Cup frustration

    Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he considered international retirement following the World Cup in Qatar.

    Portugal crashed out at the quarter-final stage after defeat against Morocco, with Ronaldo losing his spot in the starting line-up for the knockout stages.

    Fernando Santos dropped Ronaldo to the bench for the last-16 tie against Switzerland, with his replacement Goncalo Guedes scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-1 victory.

    Ronaldo would continue as a substitute for the clash with Morocco, which almost spelled the end of his Portugal career.

    “I’m not going to lie. In our life, we have to put everything on the scale,” Ronaldo said ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

    “We thought, we reflected, me and my family, but then we came to the conclusion that, despite the difficulties, we cannot throw in the towel. I was able to see situations at different angles. I learned a lot from that.

    “I’m glad to be back. Roberto Martinez showed that he counted on me. I’ve always wanted to play. As you know, he talked to everyone and to me, too. And I was able to realise that I have a lot to give to the national team.

    “I feel it, I want it, and my desire is to take Portugal to the highest level. I will always give my contribution when they need me.”

    Portugal begin their qualification campaign for Euro 2024 under new stewardship following the appointment of Martinez, which Ronaldo expects to lead to a more attacking approach.

    “There are a lot of different players, possibly the system will change, but it’s not for me to talk about it,” he said.

    “Changes are good in life. What we feel in the national team is very positive. It feels like something special and positive. The intensity is very good, it’s different.

    “I’m sure the national team will be prepared for whatever comes. I’m sure Portugal will be a team with more attacking.”

  • Morocco, Spain and Portugal announces joint bid to host 2030 World Cup

    Morocco, Spain and Portugal announces joint bid to host 2030 World Cup

    Morocco will submit a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, according to King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

    Great Britain, making their tournament debut in the fifth iteration, stood out in a tense match against Mexico, who shocked Pool C favourites USA in their previous game.

    This was stated in a message at the presentation of the Sovereign with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda.

    “This joint bid, which is unprecedented in football history, will bring together Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, and the African, Arab and Euro-Mediterranean worlds,” said the Sovereign in this message read by the Minister of National Education, National Formation and Sport, Chakib Benmoussa.

    King Mohammed VI further specified that this candidacy “will also bring out the best in all of us – in effect, a combination of genius, creativity, experience, and means.”

    In Kigali, CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 was also awarded to King Mohammed VI.

    This is “first and foremost, a tribute to the genius of Africa and its vibrant youth,” the Sovereign said on Tuesday.

    The King stated that “it is still my firmly held belief, as I pointed out in my speech at the 29th African Union Summit in 2017, that “the future of Africa hinges on its youth”.

    Only “a proactive, youth-oriented policy can channel energy for the achievement of development, therefore, the Award you are bestowing upon me today is, first and foremost, a tribute to the genius of Africa and its vibrant youth.”

    The King has, in this sense, affirmed to have made soccer a lever for success and sustainable human development in the Kingdom.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make final list. How did Portugal Vote at 2022 FIFA Best Awards?

    Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make final list. How did Portugal Vote at 2022 FIFA Best Awards?

    After a historic season, Lionel Messi has been named the Best Men’s Player, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski as the only players to win the award twice.

    The playmaker from Argentina and Paris St. Germain won the coveted award for a record-extending seventh time. He defeated Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema in the final.

    The award, which recognises the top male performer, was chosen by national team coaches, captains, eminent journalists, and fans from all over the world. FIFA reports that Messi received 52 points, Mbappe came in second with 44 points, and Karim Benzema of France and Real Madrid received 34 points.

    Considering the long-standing sporting rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the Iberian country was least expected to throw their weight behind the Argentine genius. How did Portugal vote? Sports Brief takes a look at how Portugal voted, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo failing to make the final shortlist.

    Martínez, stepped down from his role as Belgium manager after their World Cup group stage exit, but received appointment as Portugal’s new boss after the Mundial. Hence the onus fell on him to vote for the Best Men’s footballer for 2022 at the gala held in Paris, France.

    The 49-year-old interestingly threw away the rivalry between Ronaldo, perhaps Portugal’s greatest footballer in history and Leo Messi away to vote for the PSG playmaker.

    Pepe – Portugal captain Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, simply known as Pepe, was the players’ delegate to choose for Portugal.

    Acting as Ronaldo’s deputy, Pepe naturally omitted Leo Messi from his preferred choice of winners. Instead, selecting Messi’s clubmate Kylian Mbappe, former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric and current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema in that order.

    Pepe, aged 40, is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generation and is still performing at FC Porto.

    Vítor Hugo dos Santos Serpa – expert journalist

    The revered Portuguese sports journalist had the singular honour to cast his vote on behalf of the country’s media.

    Vítor, just like Roberto Martinez, did not cast his votes based on patriotism or affection for Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Who did Messi vote for?

    In a related article, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi voted for Neymar Junior ahead of Kylian Mbappe to win the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award.

    Messi was announced as the winner on Monday for the second time, coming in ahead of his PSG teammate Mbappe and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.

    According to FIFA, the Argentine genius did not vote for any of his international teammates to win the award.

  • Stop reporting stories of woman impersonating me – Christian Atsu’s wife warns GH media outlets

    Stop reporting stories of woman impersonating me – Christian Atsu’s wife warns GH media outlets

    The white lady who was previously identified as Christian Atsu’s wife can be heard sobbing in the video as she mourns the death of her husband, who died in the earthquake.

    Many online blogs took the video and made various articles out of it – All in solidarity with the Atsu family because it was initially assumed the crying woman was the wife of the deceased player.

    Unfortunately, the woman in the viral video isn’t Clarie Rupio who happens to be Atsu’s wife.

    Reacting to the publication of the video on various news portals, Christian Atsu’s wife has cautioned all the blogs that shared the video to immediately take it down because she’s not the one in the clip.

    According to Rupio, this isn’t the right time to publish fake stories about her because she’s still mourning her late husband who was found dead inside the rubble last Saturday.

    Meanwhile, with a sobbing voice in a trending video – Clarie has revealed that she misses her late husband so much but for the sake of their three kids, she has to remain strong.

    The former Chelsea player who until his demise played for Turkish-based Hatayaspor met his wife Marie-Claire Rupio in Portugal nearly a decade ago when he was playing for Porto.

    The pair got married in 2012 and have since welcomed three kids into their lives.

    Atsu has previously said to Tv3 Sports: “I met my wife in Portugal and you can see we have a beautiful family. We’ve been together for nine to ten years and I just love her.”

  • Check out the age of the oldest Dog in the world

    Check out the age of the oldest Dog in the world

    A 30-year-old dog who lives in Portugal has been named as the world’s oldest by Guinness World Records.

    Bobi, born on 11 May, 1992 is not just the oldest dog living – he’s the oldest dog ever.

    He is 30 years and 268 days old as of today – and was certified the new record holder just two weeks after Spike, a chihuahua from Ohio in the US, was awarded the title.

    Bobi is a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, which is a breed of livestock guardian dog with an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

    His birth date was confirmed by the Portuguese government’s pet database and by the National Union of Veterinarians, Guinness World Records said.

    The previous oldest dog ever was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey – at 29 years and five months.

    Bobi has lived his entire life with the Costa family in the rural village of Conqueiros, in Leiria, Portugal.

    He was born with three siblings in an outbuilding where the family stored wood, but they already had a lot of animals and had to put the puppies down, and Bobi escaped, said Leonel Costa, now 38.

    Mr Costa said some of the biggest contributing factors for Bobi’s longevity is the “calm, peaceful environment” he lives in, “far from the cities”, and his diet. Bobi has always eaten “what we ate,” he said, adding he has never been chained up or on a leash.

    He said Bobi’s mother, Gira, lived to the age of 18, and another one of their dogs, Chicote, lived to be 22.

    “Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world. Bobi represents those generations,” he added.

    Due to his age, Bobi’s eyesight has worsened and he is less adventurous these days, preferring to relax by the fire.

    “From being condemned at birth to now being the oldest

  • Portugal announces debt-for-nature swap in Cape Verde

    Portugal announces debt-for-nature swap in Cape Verde

    Portugal has announced that all debt repayments it receives from its former colony of Cape Verde will be fully reinvested into the African country to drive its transition to a greener and more sustainable future.

    The archipelago of 10 small islands, off Africa’s west coast, owes Portugal more than $650m (£524m), of which $13m is due to be repaid by 2025.

    Speaking in Cape Verde, Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa said that money will now be ploughed back into Cape Verde to support renewable energy and other green projects.

    Source: BBC

  • Portugal appoint former Belgium boss Martinez as Santos’ successor

    Portugal appoint former Belgium boss Martinez as Santos’ successor

    Portugal have appointed Roberto Martinez as their new head coach.

    Fernando Santos called time on his eight-year stint at the helm last month, a decision which followed a shock World Cup defeat to Morocco.

    Santos led Portugal to the quarter-finals in Qatar, where he benched Cristiano Ronaldo for the Selecao’s two knockout games — a comprehensive 6-1 win over Switzerland and the 1-0 loss to the Atlas Lions.

    Martinez, who has reportedly signed a four-year deal, became a free agent shortly before Santos’ departure — leaving his role as Belgium coach after the Red Devils slumped to a dismal group-stage exit in Qatar.

    Former Wigan and Everton boss Martinez led the Belgians to their best World Cup campaign when they clinched third place at Russia 2018, though his failure to deliver silverware with a crop of players said to be the country’s “golden generation” has attracted criticism.

    Martinez oversaw 61 games during his six-year spell in charge, winning 47 (77%).

    Belgium beat Canada in their opening match in Qatar but a defeat to Morocco and draw with Croatia saw them slump eliminated from a World Cup group for the first time since 1998.

    They entered the tournament second in the FIFA rankings, but dropped to fourth after their failure to reach the knockout stage.

    Upon taking the job, one of Martinez’s foremost challenges will be to make a decision on the international future of Ronaldo, who has joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia following the termination of his contract with Manchester United.

    Though Ronaldo recognised his “most ambitious dream” was over after failing to inspire Portugal to glory at his fifth World Cup, the 37-year-old is yet to retire from international football.

    The Portuguese will begin their qualification campaign for Euro 2024 at home to Liechtenstein on March 23, having been drawn into a group also containing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Slovakia and Luxembourg.

  • Fernando Santos quits Portugal after World Cup exit

    Fernando Santos has resigned as Portugal’s manager after the team’s shocking 1-0 quarterfinal World Cup loss to Morocco.

    The 68-year-old oversaw Portugal for eight years, winning the 2016 Euro Championship and the 2019 Uefa Nations League with the team.

    However, his decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo for the Qatar 2022 semifinal matches dominated his final games.

    Ronaldo’s harsh response to being replaced during the last group match against South Korea led Santos to decide to bench the 37-year-old prior to the last-16 encounter with Switzerland.

    Goncalo Ramos, Ronaldo’s replacement, scored a hat-trick as Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1, but they were shocked when Morocco became the first African country to advance to the World Cup semifinals.

    The Portuguese Football Association (FPF) said: “The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight unique years and believes that this thanks is also made on behalf of the Portuguese people.

    “The FPF Board will now start the process of choosing the next national coach.”

  • Morocco deserve semi-final spot, Fernandes says

    When Portugal‘s World Cup run come to an end on Saturday due to the Atlas Lions, Bruno Fernandes recognised Morocco as deserving World Cup semi-finalists.

    Inflicting yet another upset at Al Thumama Stadium, Morocco became the first African team to ever make it to the tournament’s last four thanks to Youssef En-goal, Nesyri’s which was scored only in the game.

    The result incited an outraged response from some Portugal players, with Pepe calling the selection of Argentinian referee Facundo Tello “awful” after Tello decided against giving a penalty when Fernandes fell down under a challenge from Achraf Hakimi.

    In the immediate aftermath of the defeat, the playmaker concurred with Pepe’s assertions, claiming that the referees had “tipped the field” against Fernando Santos’ team.

    However, the Manchester United man struck a different tone when he took to social media on Sunday, praising Morocco’s display and outlining his pride in Portugal’s efforts.

    “It’s difficult to express in a few words everything we felt yesterday after the game ended,” he wrote on Twitter. “Our dream fell apart when we did everything to make it end differently.

    “It’s sad and painful because representing our team means much more than just playing football.

    “Despite the elimination, I am very proud to be Portuguese and even more proud of all those who represented our country with me in this World Cup.

    “I would also like to congratulate the Moroccan team for the great game and for deservedly qualifying for the semi-finals of the World Cup.”

    Portugal’s defeat to Walid Regragui’s men was their first at the quarter-final stage of a World Cup, with the Selecao having progressed from their two previous last-eight ties at the tournament.

  • World Cup 2022: ‘A night I’m going to tell my children and grandchildren about’

    At the Al Thumama stadium, there was an audible commotion of joy and shock, tears, hugs, and smiles.

    Although Moroccan supporters had dreamed of this occasion, few believed it would truly transpire.

    As the first Arab and African team to advance to the World Cup semifinals, their team has achieved history.

    They defeated Portugal, again another favorite.

    A significant occasion for the continent and the area.

    The tension was palpable on the pitch and in the stands. Morocco’s fans chanted seer or “go ahead” in Arabic, and let out a massive cheer as their team scored.

    “This is a night that I’m going to tell my children and grandchildren about,” Soufiane Megrini told me.

    “Morocco made us proud. We’re proud of our team and our coach.”

    Soufiane Megrini
    Image caption, Soufiane Megrini said he was proud of his team

    Soufiane told me how touched he felt at the massive Arab support for his team.

    He said despite finding the Moroccan dialect difficult, some spectators from other Arab countries had wanted to take part in the chants, asking how to say the words.

    “They were standing next to us… they were singing Moroccan songs,” he said.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

    Flags tell an important part of the Moroccan World Cup story. As I write this, the skyscraper outside my window is radiating red with a green star in the middle. But there were others alongside Morocco’s red and green: Fans carried Saudi Arabian, Iraqi, Egyptian, Palestinian, Qatari and Jordanian flags.

    Thousands of fans have travelled from across the Arab world to be here in Doha. Many have told us they’ve changed their tickets every time Morocco won. Some may have to change them again to witness another historic match for their team.

    Zineb Aklikm and her husband Aziz Benyahya travelled to Doha from Morocco the day before the game. They left their two-month-old baby back home.

    “As a mother, I feel guilty,” Zineb said, “but I’ll tell him about tonight.

    “I don’t think we actually realise what just happened. We were witnessing history.”

    Mohammed Rizki
    Image caption, Mohammed Rizki said Morocco was here to win, not just to take part

    Mohammed Rizki was beaming, the fringes of his traditional Moroccan hat moving as he spoke animatedly.

    “I can’t really describe it,” he said.

    “It’s a mix of feelings. We’re so happy about the win and excited for what’s coming.”

    This is a mammoth sporting moment for Morocco. It’s the best performance in this team’s history, but it goes well beyond football. This is a much-needed moment of collective joy and pride for a whole region and a continent.

    More crucially, this is a moment that has shifted the way Arab and African teams are viewed not just in the eyes of European and South American squads, but in the eyes of their own crowds.

    One of the most shared videos after the game, apart from Morocco’s team celebrating, is the one of Cristiano Ronaldo crying – as Portugal exited the tournament.

    One spectator told me that this is a moment of “confidence” – to stand head to head with the giants of this game and be real contenders and a formidable force.

    “What we want now is the cup,” Mohammed Rizki said.

    He added: “We’re not here just to be in the competition. We’re here to win.”

  • World Cup 2022: Africa’s sole rep Morocco stun Portugal to reach semifinal for the first time in history

    Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final and ended the hopes of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

    Striker Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the first half, leaping highest to beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the ball and heading in to spark pandemonium at Al Thumama Stadium.

    The north African side’s supporters populated most of the venue and joyously celebrated their breakthrough moment on the global stage.

    Ronaldo came off the bench in the 50th minute to equal the men’s all-time appearance record of 196 in international matches, but he could not drag his side back into the contest

    .

    Morocco, who will play England or France in the last four, were happy to play on the counter and grabbed the opener just before the break when En-Nesyri headed in from Yahya Attiyat-Allah’s cross.

    Portugal skipper Bruno Fernandes came agonisingly close to levelling just minutes later but a brilliant individual effort struck the crossbar.

    Decimated by injuries, Morocco sat back for the majority of the second half and Yassine Bounou brilliantly tipped over Joao Felix’s drive – the closest they came to an equaliser.

    Morocco striker Walid Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow card in eight minutes of additional time but Portugal could not find the equaliser as their last-four hopes were dashed

  • Morocco ‘would be delighted’ if Ronaldo is on Portugal bench – Regragui

    Walid Regragui, the coach of Morocco, hopes to see Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench once more despite the fact that Portugal may have looked better in the round of 16 without him.

    After getting into a heated dispute with Portugal’s head coach during their final World Cup group match against South Korea, Ronaldo was benched by Fernando Santos.

    Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1 despite the absence of Ronaldo, 37, who was replaced by Goncalo Ramos, who scored an incredible hat-trick.

    When his team faces Morocco in the quarterfinals, Santos will undoubtedly field the same lineup once more, but Regragui would rather not.

    “I don’t know if Ronaldo will start. I hope he won’t,” Regragui said. “As a coach, I know he’s one of the best players in history. I’d be delighted if he didn’t play.

    “But we’re not going to focus on Portugal. They’re hungry, they also want to get into the history books.

    “We’re going to have more supporters in the stadium, and we can do it.”

    Throughout his pre-match news conference on Friday, Regragui outlined his ambition to make history, with Morocco already enjoying their best run at a World Cup.

    Discussing pre-tournament predictions that had Morocco failing in the group stage, he said: “They all thought they knew who was going to win the World Cup. We are here, too.

    “Our players are hungry. We’re not satisfied with what we’ve done so far.”

     

  • Ronaldo did not ask to leave Portugal camp in Qatar, Santos says

    Although Cristiano Ronaldo has never requested to leave the Portugal World Cup team, manager Fernando Santos did acknowledge that the veteran striker was unhappy about being benched for the match against Switzerland.

    The 37-year-old was not included for Portugal’s 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the round of 16 to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup with Morocco.

    It was categorically refuted that Santos and Ronaldo had a huge falling out and that the latter had threatened to leave.

    Santos said: “We had a conversation. I don’t do that with all the players but he’s the captain of the squad. You know what he represents for Portuguese football, for the Portuguese people and for the national team.

    “It was on the day of the match after lunch. I explained to him why he would not play and said in terms of our strategy ‘I think it would be better if you did not start. I think the game will be difficult and I will save you for the second half’.

    “Cristiano was obviously not very happy as he has always been a starting player. But we had a normal conversation in which I explained my points and he accepted them.

    “He never told me he wanted to leave the national team.”

    Santos frequently has a frustrated expression, but the persistent inquiries about the former Manchester United and Real Madrid great really baffled him.

    “It’s high time we stopped with this conversation and look at what he did in the match,” he added.

    “He warmed up with his colleagues, he celebrated all the goals and he was the one who invited the players to applaud the fans at the end. It’s time for you [the media] to leave Cristiano alone.

    “Ninety per cent of the questions are about Cristiano.”

    Ronaldo’s replacement against Switzerland, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick as part of a team that displayed more verve and attacking threat than in previous games in Qatar.

    Santos refused to confirm whether Ramos would keep his place against Morocco or if Ronaldo would return.

    “Just because a team wins doesn’t mean you can’t change it,” he said. “The team we play on Saturday will present different challenges, they are a very different team to Switzerland.

    “They are well-organised with many players who play for the biggest clubs in the world. This will not be an easy game.”

    Playmaker Joao Felix was another who shone against the Swiss, arguably playing his best game of the tournament. Asked if he felt the shackles had been released with Ronaldo absent, he said: “I don’t think it’s mandatory to pass to Cristiano. We try to pass to the player that’s available.

    “Independent of Cristiano being on the field, we have the same tactics, the ones we’ve been using for all four games. He has skills that other players have and vice-versa. We, as a team, have our own identity and we focus on that.”