The Portugal World Cup side goes into the competition with a sense of emotion in its motivation after midfielder Ruben Neves’s comments. The squad is believed to be taking the baton of Diogo Jota as inspiration in the FIFA World Cup in North America. Neves talked about the impact Jota had on the national team setup. The late forward, who had a major impact for Portugal and Liverpool, is still having a presence in the group despite his death, he said.
Jota passed away in a car crash in Spain, just weeks after helping Portugal win the UEFA Nations League title, on 3 July last year. He was a tearful figure for his teammates who shared club and international dressing rooms with him. The Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal side were close to Jota and he is still a part of the family, Neves said. That link is now considered a catalyst for the team in their preparations for one of the biggest events in football.
Portugal are not just developing their tactics and form as a team. They are developing emotional unity as a part of their identity. Some of this motivation can be a major factor in a knockout game such as a competition where the mind is as important as the skill. Â 
