STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
The Portugal legend will make his first appearance at the competition this week.
Portugal captain Madjer is eager for his first experience of the Sal Beach Soccer Cup this week and insists it represents the ideal opportunity to start a new chapter for the former world champions.
Madjer and co will feature at the second edition of the tournament in Cape Verde across Friday, Saturday and Sunday alongside the hosts, England and Germany in the first tournament since the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Nassau.
Defeat to eventual champions Brazil ended Portugal’s defence in The Bahamas but Madjer is keen to provide an immediate response in a competition he was unable to feature in last year.
“From what people told me about last year, it’s a great tournament and what I know myself is that people here love beach soccer,” the veteran told Beach Soccer Worldwide after training in Santa Maria.
“So, as a team, we’re really happy to be a part of this beach soccer party once again. The World Cup didn’t go as we would have liked but it’s over, in the past, and now we have to look to the future.
“For us right now, that means here in Cape Verde.”
Mario Narciso’s squad shows some changes from their time in The Bahamas, with the likes of Pedro Silva and Ricardinho coming in for seasoned stars such as Nuno Belchior, Alan and Bruno Torres.
As Portugal prepare to try defend their Sal title, Madjer is confident the new arrivals will offer a fresh dimension without affecting results.
“We have some new faces with us but they are working with us for a long time,” he added. “So the coach calls them to give them a taste of proper competition but what’s important for us is that we know they have a lot of quality.”
The action gets underway in Cape Verde on Friday afternoon when Portugal face Germany before England take on the home nation.
