Portugal midfielder Pedro Mendes insists his side have a real chance of lifting the World Cup this summer.
World Cup dream is not madness, says Portugal midfielder
Portugal midfielder Pedro Mendes insists his side have a real chance of lifting the World Cup this summer.
Carlos Queiroz's men endured a lacklustre qualifying campaign for South Africa and could only manage a 0-0 draw in their warm-up friendly against African minnows Cape Verde last week.
But Mendes, who has played at Tottenham, Portsmouth and Rangers, is adamant his team have the potential to win the world crown.
Madness
"The dream of Portugal winning the World Cup title is not madness," said Mendes. "But our first objective is to do well in the group stage.
"We need to improve but this is our big opportunity.
"We have players of a high level in the squad and that could allow us to go very far in South Africa."
Mendes believes the effort put in by the whole squad in training will make it difficult for Queiroz to choose a definite starting XI.
"A fixed XI in this squad doesn't exist because each player is giving the maximum in training," added Mendes.
"The sessions are like matches, such is the intensity of the work."
Privilege
The midfielder admits he is honoured to have been included in the set-up for South Africa, adding: "For me this is a privilege.
"To make the squad and to play in the World Cup is a personal success and now I want to help my team-mates."
Mendes has played down the hype surrounding star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the team's success rests on more than one player.
"Ronaldo is a worldwide star but it's not possible for him to win matches on his own," he added. "Portugal must play as a team and this is our intention."
