Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is set to be a key player for Portugal at the upcoming European Championships in Germany. In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, Palhinha opened up about his failed January transfer to Bayern Munich, his future at Fulham, and his aspirations for Euro 2024.
At 28, Palhinha has just completed his second season with Fulham in the Premier League, where he stood out for making the most tackles in the league. Reflecting on his performance, he said, "In personal terms, it was a good season. Fulham's goal was to stay up, which we achieved quickly. We even thought we could fight for more, but the Premier League's competitiveness is immense."
Discussing his future, Palhinha expressed his commitment to Fulham but acknowledged the uncertainty of football. "At the moment, the likelihood is I stay at Fulham, but we'll see what happens. I have dreams and goals as a player," he said, highlighting the respect he has for Fulham and its fans.
Palhinha's transfer to Bayern Munich fell through in January, a move that had drawn significant attention. He remains uncertain about the possibility of a future move to Bayern, stating, "I can't say it's a closed or open door. Today I want to focus more on the European Championships."
On the subject of Portuguese players in the Premier League, Palhinha noted the significant impact and growing recognition they receive. "The fact that we have so many players coming here and having success is due to this growing attention from clubs to our league."
Turning to Euro 2024, Palhinha expressed his excitement and pride at being called up by Portugal's coach, Roberto Martinez. "It's a competition I've been fortunate enough to attend before. Representing your country is always special, and I want to achieve great things for Portugal."
Palhinha acknowledged the pressure of being among the tournament favorites but emphasized the importance of focusing on the team's goals. He also spoke about the support they expect from the Portuguese community in Germany, which he believes will make them feel at home.
The midfielder highlighted the importance of veteran players like Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo to the team. "They are very important because of their experience and the legacy they've left. For my generation and the younger ones, it's a source of pride to share this space with them."
As Palhinha prepares for Euro 2024, his journey reflects a blend of dedication, resilience, and the ambition to achieve greatness on football's biggest stages.
