Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has put club matters on hold for the moment, with the Portugal international focused on chasing what he admits is one of the biggest ambitions of his career.
The 27-year-old is preparing for the 2026 World Cup and spoke to Portuguese newspaper A Bola during a Sport Zone and Puma event for children in Lisbon.
While much of the conversation centred on Portugal’s chances in the tournament, Dalot also discussed his role in the squad, Roberto Martínez’s impact and a personal objective he still hopes to achieve on football’s biggest stage.
Asked whether coaching could be part of his future after spending time working with children at the event, the Manchester United player admitted it is not something currently on his mind.
“I don’t know, it’s still not something I’m thinking about, to be honest. But if it is to help children, then maybe I can be a good coach. For now, though, it is not on the horizon.”
World Cup dream remains the priority
For now, all attention is on Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
Dalot admitted becoming a world champion remains one of his biggest dreams, although he stressed the squad are taking nothing for granted.
“I have some dreams, and being world champion is one of them,” he said.
“Bringing that dream into reality, we know we have to work a lot. We still have three games ahead of us, and that is our main focus. Then it is game by game until the final, if possible, and being able to win it is a big objective we have.”
Portugal have never won a World Cup, something Dalot says is providing additional motivation.
“I am confident we have the conditions for it. Obviously, we know these competitions are difficult. History, unfortunately, does not say Portugal have already won it. So we want to do something that has not been done, but always with the humility to work hard to achieve it.”
The Manchester United defender also pointed to the growing quality of Portuguese football as a reason for optimism.
“It gives us confidence. We know we have quality in the squad. The quality of Portuguese players and Portuguese teams has continued to grow. It gives us confidence going into a competition like this, one we have never won before, with that motivation.”
Competition and Martínez praise
Dalot heads into the tournament competing for minutes with João Cancelo, Nélson Semedo, Nuno Mendes and even Matheus Nunes, who can also operate in wide areas.
However, he believes versatility across the squad is a major advantage for Portugal.
“For any coach, having the possibility of several players who can play in different positions is an advantage. We have already shown that even the players called up have that ability, so for the national team it will be beneficial.”
The Manchester United player was also asked about Roberto Martínez and whether he hopes the manager remains in charge beyond the World Cup.
Dalot made no secret of his admiration for the Spaniard.
“What he has done so far is clear and it is something that deserves recognition. We managed to win a trophy with him. Everything he has done for us, and the improvement the national team has had in recent years, is clear.”
“The decision will not be ours, but our objective as players is to give everything for him.”
Still waiting for first World Cup goal
Dalot featured at the 2022 World Cup but left the tournament without scoring, registering one assist instead. That remains a personal target for this summer.
“Any goal you score for the national team is a reason for pride, and in a competition like the World Cup it would be special.”
“Of course I dream of that. Obviously, I have that objective, to be able to help Portugal. The best way is with goals and why not? So I will try my best if I can score a goal for the national team.”
For Manchester United, a strong World Cup would only strengthen Dalot’s standing ahead of another important season at Old Trafford.
Signed from Porto as a teenager in 2018, he has developed into one of Portugal’s most reliable international defenders.
This summer now offers him the chance to add something even bigger to his CV – helping Portugal achieve something the country has never managed before.
