Francisco Neto has been at the heart of Portugal's rise in women's football. The Portuguese manager, who guided the national team to their first-ever UEFA Euro 2017 appearance, continues to inspire transformation both on and off the pitch. In a recent Portugal Football Summit session, Neto reflected on his 12-year journey, describing how Portugal's women's side has evolved from hopeful participants to fearless competitors.
More than just collecting wins, Neto believes the true victory is in the team's mentality. "There were also things we really wanted to do," he explained. "More than the achievement of reaching the European Championships - what truly mattered was the way we built a team and shaped its mentality." That belief has been visible in recent performances, like Portugal's thrilling 3-2 win over Hungary and their ruthless 5-0 victory over Armenia in World Cup qualifiers, which showcased not just skill but courage and control.
Neto said the shift was never just tactical - it was cultural. Across both senior and youth levels, players have learned to "look at opponents without fear." That same confidence has helped foster unity and belief within the squad. His words echoed again as Portugal recently honoured Diogo Jota ahead of their World Cup qualifiers, a gesture that reflects the national spirit of growth and gratitude spreading across Portuguese football.
