Alberto Costa wants to seize opportunities in the Nations League despite Cristiano Ronaldo's absence

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his departure from the National Team this Thursday, one day before Jorge Jesus' call-up. This decision comes amidst all the controversy involving the captain and the national coach.

Despite still serving a suspension for abandoning the training camp, Cristiano used social media to formally communicate his intention to leave the Portuguese group. The announcement generated various reactions among followers and football observers.

The President of the Provisional Government of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, addressed Caracas with a call for active participation from Portuguese companies and the local Portuguese community in the country's economic recovery process, noting the start of a new cycle of bilateral cooperation.

She stated that she desires growth to occur in close partnership with the business sectors of Portugal and Europe, emphasizing the need to participate in a unified process of restoring relations, including trade ties.

Delcy Rodriguez's speech took place in Caracas before hundreds of entrepreneurs at the Portugal-Venezuela Business Forum, which was held at the Portuguese Center as part of the Portuguese business mission to the country. The mission was headed by the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion of Portugal, Manuel Castro Almeida.

The head of state emphasized the historical significance and unbreakable ties between Portuguese and Venezuelan people, calling them 'two peoples who decided to become brothers, who were never a wall but always a bridge.'

She noted that the visit of the Portuguese delegation reflects an 'interest in the new' economic cycle.

Delcy Rodriguez mentioned the difficult times Venezuela experienced due to the economic embargo, stating that over the last decade this had negatively affected bilateral trade relations. She stressed that this decade became 'a lost generation' and negatively impacted trade between Venezuela and Portugal. A diagram was presented showing how trade between the countries was affected after sanctions, starting in 2015.

During this address, the provisional president presented data indicating that trade turnover between the two states was about $637 million in 2012, but dropped to $26 million by 2025.

Nevertheless, she stressed that the current situation is characterized by hope and growth. She noted that Venezuela leads in Latin American economic growth, a trend also projected by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) for 2026. Furthermore, domestic consumption increased by 23% over the last 12 months.

Delcy Rodriguez stated that the country's development plan until 2040 aims to strengthen Venezuela as a diversified power, opening immediate opportunities for Portuguese businesses in sectors such as construction and infrastructure, energy, oil, currency intermediation, trade, lodging, and catering.

The head of state also expressed deep gratitude to the local Portuguese community, stating that the presence of Portuguese in the DNA of Venezuela is linked to their dreams and historical roots, and today they can consider themselves having two homelands.

In conclusion of her address, the provisional president publicly thanked Portugal for its support during the double earthquake in June, recalling that Lisbon declared a day of mourning and sent rescue teams and humanitarian aid, calling it an act that made them feel like brothers again.