Soccer · World Cup 2006
Santos' joy is tinged with sadness
Friday, 2 June 2006Paulo Santos admits he is delighted to get an unexpected call into Portugal's World Cup squad but has expressed sympathy for Estrela Amadora goalkeeper Bruno Vale, whose place he took after Vale injured a foot playing for the Portuguese Under-21 side.
Santos, whose club side is Braga, will be third choice behind Sporting Lisbon's Ricardo and Benfica's Quim in Germany.
'I never dreamed I could play (in the World Cup),' 33-year-old Santos said. 'I was very proud when I heard the news that I had been called up and it's an indescribable joy to play in the World Cup.'
However, he added: 'I only regret that the call-up came in this way. I imagine Bruno must feel awful, I am sorry about his injury and I hope he gets better as soon as possible.'
