The likes of Madjer and Mario Narciso spoke on the eve of the event on Carcavelos Beach
In what was a proud moment, Thursday’s press conference saw the likes of Mario Narciso, Madjer and Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais, discuss their pleasure at the forthcoming Mundialito being held in the city.
Both the men’s and women’s events will be held on Carcavelos Beach as part of the prestigious Mundialito from Friday until Sunday in a part of the world that has always cherished the sport of beach soccer.
Madjer, one of the game’s leading lights, hails from nearby Estoril while Narciso, Carreiras and Pedro Dias, Director of Beach Soccer at the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), are keen to maintain Portugal’s proud tradition within the sport.
Carreiras said: “For the city, it’s a great honour to host such a prestigious and internationally recognised event, especially given that Cascais has always appreciated the importance of the sport.
“We have some of the best beaches in the world and this is one of the places where beach soccer was born. For us, it is very important to have the Mundialito here, especially as we have Madjer here, who is one of our most well known representatives.”
Dias added: “Portugal is in very good shape and we have been winning a number of events recently. We are defending champions and we want it to stay this way in this Mundialito.”
Much of the responsibility for Portugal maintaining their title will fall on the shoulders of coach Narciso and captain Madjer, with their team currently riding high as world and European champions.
The world’s number-one ranked team claimed their fifth Mundialito title two years and, against 12-time winners Brazil, USA and China, Narciso is well aware of the task at hand.
“We are facing great teams here, great champions so it’s going to be a very demanding event,” the coach continued.
“At the same time, we are also looking forward as this is always one of the best events and an event where everybody wants to play, especially in front of our own people.
“I am very thankful that we have been given the opportunity to play such an event and we will do our best to make the most of it.
“This Mundialito is very important for us as we are facing very good teams and we want to keep improving ahead of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers in September.”
Local boy Madjer added: “I am almost playing at home as this is pretty much my neighbourhood. I lived in Estoril during my childhood and this is the beach where I played beach soccer for the first time.
“This is also the beach I took my children to for the first time so it’s a very special and emotional moment for me, but I’m also focused on the task we have as we want to have a great event and some positive results.”
Leaving the final world to Beach Soccer Worldwide’s Executive Vice-President Joan Cusco, the FIFA Beach Soccer Committee Member summed up: “I would like to thank the city of Cascais for their trust and for bringing such an important event here.
“This is the longest running event in the world of beach soccer and I would also like to thank the FPF for their ongoing commitment.”
