As Villarreal prepares to face Napoli in the Champions League, Renato Veiga spoke to the media.

"We are two teams with completely different styles. A win would be a great morale boost, but a loss wouldn't be a disaster," said Renato Veiga.

Perhaps Renato Veiga has finally found a home. The 23-year-old Villarreal centre-back has played in the top leagues of Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, England, Italy, and Spain. He made a good impression at each club but never settled for various reasons. Even with the national team, he was something of a wanderer: his father, Nélson, played for Cape Verde, he was born in Lisbon, grew up at Sporting CP, and ultimately chose Portugal, winning the 2025 Nations League with them. Renato is now in his second season at Villarreal, the first time he has remained at the same club for more than one season.

In just over three years, you've lived in Lisbon, Augsburg, Basel, London, Turin, and Villarreal. Have you finally found a home?

"Never say never! (laughs) But I can say that I'm really enjoying it here. I hope to stay longer—I'm tired of moving around."

Among the many places you've been is Italy. What are your memories of it?

"Very good ones. I had a great time in Turin, and playing for Juventus was very special. But I was on loan from Chelsea, and it was a difficult season. The team went through a transition from Thiago Motta to Igor Tudor. In the end, we finished fourth in the league, but it was disappointing to be knocked out of the Champions League by PSV Eindhoven. It still hurts to think about it. I started the first leg, which we won 2-1, and in the second leg, I came on as a substitute late on when the team was down 1-2. We ended up losing in extra time. Unfortunately, that remains my only Champions League victory to date."

Indeed, last season Villarreal returned to the Champions League after two years but had a disappointing campaign: you managed one point against Juventus in Turin with your 90th-minute goal, then suffered seven consecutive defeats.

"That's all behind us. We've changed coaches and refocused our ambitions. Yes, we lost to Dortmund in the opener, but the team has been improving, and we are ready to face Napoli."

What do you think of this match?

"It will certainly be a tough game. Allegri's team is finding form; if I remember correctly, they've picked up seven points in their last three games, and after losing to Arsenal, they'll be looking for points here. It will be an open game between two teams with very different styles, and two coaches from different eras."

Allegri is 59, and Iñigo Pérez is 38.

"Exactly. And this is only the second round; there are still six rounds to go, so it's too early to draw conclusions. All I can say is that a win would be a great morale boost, but a loss wouldn't be a disaster."

Do you still follow Serie A?

"Not much. I usually focus on the league I'm playing in. But if I get the chance, I watch Juventus games because, even though I wasn't there long, I made many friends. I can see the Bianconeri improving. Serie A is tough, with very strong competitors, and you pay the price if you're not careful. It's surprising that Juventus and Milan missed out on the Champions League."

Juventus will play Celta Vigo away in the Europa League on Thursday.

"They are capable of winning. Celta is a good team that plays well, but they've had a difficult start to the season."

Among the clashes between La Liga and Serie A, there's also Roma against Real Madrid.

"That's a heavyweight clash. Don't ask me for a prediction, please. I'll just say it's a very open game, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds."

Alright, but I still want to hear your thoughts on Serie A and La Liga.

"The understanding of football is different. In Italy, tactics play a big role and sometimes even limit the game; in Spain, technique, teamwork, and individual skill with the ball are more important. But I can adapt anywhere." Renato smiled and then paused.

You spent the recent international break with the Portuguese national team. What can you say about what happened between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus?

"No comment. I'm happy because I played all four games, and we won all four."

Okay. Then what about Gonçalo Ramos, the Milan player who scored three goals?

"He took his chances well and made the most of the playing time the coach gave him."

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