Nations League success leaves Neves on a high

Ruben Neves intends to carry the momentum from Portugal’s Nations League success into Wolves’ early start to the season in the Europa League.

The midfielder, along with Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho and Diogo Jota, lifted the inaugural Nations League with Portugal last month, capping another fine season for the Wolverhampton contingent. Now, after three weeks of rest, Neves has checked in for pre-season and is already looking forward to the next challenge in the Europe with his club.

On the Nations League win

“It was my first title with my international team, at home. It was a really special moment for me. They were good games, against tough teams, but fortunately we have Cristiano and he helped us a lot.

“It’s special to win a title, it’s really difficult to win an international tournament, but we did it in the first version of the Nation’s League. I think international teams are now thinking that they want to win it, so it was good for us to win the first one.”

On winning with Wolves team mates

“It’s unbelievable. Wolves was the team with the most players in the national team, which is amazing. I can play with them at Wolves and at international level. It means we’re doing a great job.”

On preparing for the Europa League

“We had three weeks off and that was enough. We have to prepare ourselves now because we play earlier this season in the Europa League. We prepare ourselves to get fit to play on the 25th July, the first game of the Europa League.

“It’s a great achievement for the club, two years ago we were in the Championship and now we’re playing in the Europa League. It should make us all proud, players and staff, all the fans and we’ll try our best.”