UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has heaped praise on Portuguese football and Cristiano Ronaldo while reaffirming his commitment to preserving the integrity of European competitions. Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit in Lisbon on Wednesday evening, Ceferin discussed the Super League, the new Champions League format, and the challenges UEFA continues to face in modern football.
Addressing the current strength of the Portuguese national team, Aleksander Ceferin admitted he remains in awe of how such a small nation continues to produce world-class talent.
“Whoever has the answer to that question is a genius,” Ceferin joked. “I hear questions from all around the world about only two federations: Portugal and Croatia. Everyone asks how they achieve so much given their size. I think it comes down to competitive spirit. It’s a scary team — every Champions League final seems to have Portuguese players in it. Portugal are always competitive, and for me, they’re among the favourites for the next World Cup.”
The UEFA chief also spoke warmly about Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in attendance at the event.
“He is one of the biggest promoters of Portuguese football,” Ceferin said. “I have never seen someone so competitive. That’s why he struggles to stop. What he has achieved is extraordinary — he’s one of the top three footballers of all time, and I respect him deeply both as a player and a person.”
Turning to the future of UEFA competitions, Ceferin defended the new Champions League format, describing it as a bold yet necessary change that has proven successful so far.
“Everybody wants changes, but no one wants to implement them,” he noted. “We were brave to do it. We worked closely with stakeholders, and it’s been a big success. We’re really happy with it.”
Ceferin also reiterated his firm stance against the creation of a European Super League, insisting that football must remain open and accessible.
“As long as I’m here, the competition will stay open,” he declared. “Football is for everyone. The dream to qualify, to beat the big teams — that’s what makes football the King of Sports.”
Reflecting on the turbulence of recent years — from the pandemic to political conflicts — Ceferin admitted that these are some of the most complex times in UEFA’s history.
“We live in complicated times, in football and beyond,” he said. “But our mission remains clear — to protect the game for everyone.”
