Portugal defender Joao Cancelo is aiming to make up for lost time as he plans to channel his frustration on missing out on Euro 2020 in the 2024 European Championship.
Ahead of Portugal kickstarting their journey in the competition, the 30-year-old missed out on the previous tournament due to COVID-19.
Speaking in press conference, the Barcelona defender (on-loan from Manchester City) said: “It was unfair, because I had a great season, I felt like I should have been there but life didn’t want it that way.
“Maybe I had to wait for this moment to be the right one to assert myself.
“No matter how many clubs I play for, the national team is the highlight of my career because in it I represent my family, my friends who played with me on the street.
“It’s always the highlight, whether in a friendly or in top competition.”
The Portuguese open their Euro campaign on Tuesday against the Czech Republic in Group F in Leipzig, and with Cancelo and the rest of the stars expected to feature, the 2016 winners are expected to begin on a positive note.
“We want to have a good start, get off on the right foot and I feel like we have the team to do it.
“There is a lot of positivity, we are on the right path but the results will tell.”
Spain media outlets have been reporting that Cancelo could return to City if Barça cannot finalise a permanent move, and with his future uncertain, the defender is only focused on what transpires in the Euros.
“From the first day here, I forgot all that,” Cancelo responded to a question about his next move after Euro 2024.
“I’m 100% focused on the national team, 100% focused on helping Portugal,” he concluded.
