EXCLUSIVE: Maniche reflects on Porto career and Ronaldo's role at World Cup

In an interview with Flashscore, the former Portuguese international recalled his time at the three giants, praised Jose Mourinho, and argued that Cristiano Ronaldo should continue to play a central role in the national team.

The former midfielder opened up his career album and spoke about the high point he experienced at FC Porto under Jose Mourinho, a coach he believes can succeed if he returns to Real Madrid.

Maniche also discussed his experience at Atletico Madrid before the Simeone era, his time at Chelsea, and the current state of the Portuguese national team.

Without mincing words, he also made his position clear for the 2026 World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo deserves respect and "must play" as a starter.

The journey through the big three

Maniche, you are one of the few players who have had the privilege of playing for Benfica, FC Porto, and Sporting. Looking back, what did it mean to you to play for each of these clubs?

"Above all, it was a source of pride and a privilege to represent the three biggest clubs in Portugal. Each has its own history, size, culture, and DNA, and I experienced completely different contexts at each one.

"At Benfica, it was where I grew up and did all my youth development. It was the club that gave me the foundation for everything I would go on to achieve later. There was a more turbulent period at the end, it's true, but I was there from the age of nine until I became captain of the first team. So, I have enormous respect for that institution.

"Then came FC Porto, as a result of circumstances and the changes that football inevitably brings. And that's where I experienced the peak of my career. At FC Porto, you find what is so often called mystique.

"It's something hard to explain, because you feel it more than you can describe it. It was at FC Porto that I won the most important titles of my career: the UEFA Cup, the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, and, of course, several national titles, and I can only be grateful that they brought me in at a difficult time. FC Porto represents everything I dreamed of achieving as a player.

"Sporting came at a different stage of my career, in a difficult context for the club. It was a less stable team with financial limitations, but it was also an experience that made me grow and learn in the final phase of my career. Today, Sporting is very different from what I found. I have no regrets and now look back on it with pride."

As you said, the happiest years of your career were at FC Porto. What made that Jose Mourinho group so special?

"The mentality. The commitment. The willingness. The ambition to win. We were all ambitious players who hadn't yet achieved anything significant. José Mourinho himself was just starting his career as a coach. There was a huge hunger to win. Then there was a lot of quality. Just look at what happened afterwards: practically all the players moved on to big European clubs. But it's not enough to just bring together quality.

"You have to build a strong group. In every dressing room, there are egos that can harm the collective, but in that group, that never happened. The less-used players had the same commitment as the starters and, when called upon, they delivered. We created a family. We embraced the mentality of the club, the city, and the fans. That was what made the difference."

Mourinho to Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho is once again being linked with Real Madrid. Do you think he would be the right person for the club at this moment?

"It's hard to turn down a club like Real Madrid. That interest doesn't surprise me. There is a strong relationship between Florentino Pérez and José Mourinho. When Mourinho arrived at Real Madrid, Barcelona was dominating European football and he managed to make the club competitive again. But it's not just that. José Mourinho is still an extremely competent and very straightforward coach. He can bring players to his side. And this interest is no coincidence. There's a narrative that says he stopped winning or didn't adapt to modern football, but I completely disagree.

"Mourinho is a project coach. Just look at his track record. At FC Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United, or Roma, he always entered demanding situations and managed to build competitive teams and win several titles. The only places he didn't win were Tottenham and Fenerbahçe. He has the courage to take on tough challenges, he's someone who likes to test himself, and he remains a global reference in group leadership. He has all the ability to bring titles to Real Madrid."

You played for Atletico Madrid before the Simeone era. Do you recognise the identity he has created at the club today?

"Absolutely. In fact, if I have any regrets in my career, it's having left Atletico Madrid. It's a club I identified with a lot because it has many similarities with FC Porto in terms of mentality. Simeone brought exactly that: identity. He knows the club, knows the fans, and understands perfectly what they want. Atletico has always had great players in its history, but often didn't have a group. It's a fantastic club, and I always get excited about it. I truly believe I would have fit in very well with the type of player he likes."

Your time at Chelsea didn't go as you hoped. What happened?

"I don't like to make excuses and I don't feel like a champion in full. The responsibility is always mine, whether things go well or badly. When I arrived at Chelsea, I was coming off a pubic operation and wasn't physically at one hundred per cent. On top of that, I found players like Lampard, Essien, Makelélé, or Gudjohnsen at the peak of their careers.

"Joining a team of that size, halfway through the season, without being in top physical condition, made everything more difficult. It didn't work out as I would have liked, but I am extremely proud to have represented one of the biggest clubs in the world."

What does the current Chelsea need to become dominant again?

Stability. Chelsea has lived for many years in a cycle of constant changes: players, coaches, directors. It's hard to create an identity when everything changes so quickly. Good players and good coaches are still there, but what's missing is continuity and a bit of peace. They need a solid project that allows a team to be built over several years. Without stability, it's very difficult to achieve consistent success."

What can English fans expect from Geovany Quenda?

"They can expect a player with a lot of personality and flair. He's young, but has above-average maturity. He's very strong one-on-one, has technical quality, and has also improved a lot defensively. Nowadays, the physical side is valued too much and creativity is often forgotten. Quenda has creativity, talent, and the ability to make a difference. He will need time to adapt, because the Premier League is very demanding, but I believe he has everything it takes to succeed. The fans can expect a very talented player."

Ronaldo's role at the 2026 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to play in yet another World Cup. What should his role be in this team?

"For me, Cristiano Ronaldo has to play. As long as he has the desire and ambition to represent the national team, he should keep doing it. He's a unique player. It's true that he no longer has the same physical freshness as 20 years ago, but he still forces opponents to pay constant attention and creates space for his teammates. We have to show respect, and I think there's often a lack of intellectual honesty when people talk about him. He remains a reference and is still important for the national team. I don't see another striker better than him. Then it's up to the coach to manage the team in the best way."

Apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, which national team player do you most enjoy watching?

"We have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Diogo Costa. We have two fantastic full-backs, Cancelo and Nuno Mendes. Then we have an extraordinary midfield with Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes. But if I had to choose one player to play alongside me, it would be Vitinha. I played in midfield and I love watching players of that quality."

Does Portugal currently have the best midfield in the world?

"I would say it's among the best in the world. But playing for clubs is one thing, playing for the national team is another. It all depends on how the coach gets the best out of the players. In my opinion, with players of this quality, there's no point in making things complicated. Let them play, enjoy themselves, and express what they do every week at their clubs. I believe Portugal can have a great World Cup."

What would be an excellent World Cup for Portugal?

"Portugal is a favourite, but not a frontrunner. I still put ahead teams that have already won the World Cup, like Brazil, Argentina, France, Spain, or Germany. Even so, we have the quality to dream. If you ask me what would be an excellent World Cup, I would say repeating what we did in 2006: reaching the semi-finals."

Follow Portugal's first World Cup clash with Flashscore.