Pedro Proença urges Portugal to return National team to Estádio da Luz
Ahead of the duel with País de Gales, Pedro Proença answered Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarks about the National Team’s absence from Estádio da Luz, speaking at the Portugal Football Summit and later to RTP Notícias.
Ronaldo used the summit platform to highlight that the Portuguese side has not played at the iconic stadium for years, arguing that the venue should feature more prominently in the Nacional’s calendar.
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Proença replied that the lack of fixtures is an opportunity, quoting his RTP Notícias interview: «São estádios que vão estar no Campeonato do Mundo 2030. São três estruturas de excelência. Temos de saber aproveitar esta grande oportunidade que vai ser o Mundial 2030.» He stressed that the stadiums are not merely symbolic but will serve concrete purposes for the upcoming tournament.
He listed the venues that could host matches or support events: Estádio da Luz, Dragão, Alvalade, Pedreira and the stadium of Vitória, noting that only a few will be selected but all are “estruturas de excelência”.
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Ronaldo’s role in the new era
The president of the Portuguese Football Federation reflected on Ronaldo’s dual position, saying: «Ronaldo, presidente da FPF e o novo selecionador, este triângulo… Sabemos o que queremos fazer… Ronaldo, depois de Eusébio e Figo… são pessoas que vão ficar ligadas à Federação e Seleção.» He added that Ronaldo’s enthusiasm for the Nacional will shape the forthcoming cycle.
Proença concluded that the federation is entering “a new cycle, a new stage”, reminding that Portugal are current Nations League champions and must shoulder the associated responsibility with a fresh attitude and philosophy.
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The contrast between Ronaldo’s criticism of under‑use and Proença’s strategic vision for Luz and other stadiums illustrates a shift from pointing out a problem to proposing a concrete role for the venues in both the National Team’s future and the Mundial 2030.