Q. Since you've been here, tell us what you're most looking forward to get back to competition.
NANI: Say again?
Q. What are you looking forward to the most?
NANI: Looking forward to compete again. Get back on the fields. Play soccer. It's what I've been doing all my life and we are missing a lot for so long, so many months, because of this situation, this pandemic, so I'm so excited to come back.
Q. With the suspension in those first two matches of the season, it's been awhile since you've been on the pitch, so how are you feeling and what are your goals for yourself as you're getting back into play this week?
NANI: My goal is start play again after this pandemic, after being out from the two first games of the season, and try on the first game to show quality of my football, of my condition, my physical conditions, and show I'm ready to compete again and to help my team to achieve our goals.
We know it's been hard moments with all these situations, but we've been working hard and I hope we can use good football on this competition.
Q. From what you saw so far in the first two games against L.A. and D.C., what is your impression of the Miami team, and what are you expecting on Wednesday from them?
NANI: We expect a difficult game. Very exciting game. Everyone is going to see what's going to happen in that reality (ph), but I saw a good team, they are building a strong team. They have good players. They are new on the league, but I think they had time to work, and I saw some good things on the two first games, and they have quality players. I'm sure it will be very difficult for us, but we must be ready for that game.
Q. How much worry is there among the players in terms of the health aspects of all of this? We've seen the new stories about some teams delaying their travel. We've seen chatter amongst some players and coaches in the League about how nervous they are. What's your expense what are you hearing?
NANI: To tell you the truth, to be honest I feel safe here since I arrive in this hotel. I see all the conditions, the way they manage everything for the players to be safe, I agree with.
Until now, I see all the players, all the teams, they look happy. They look like comfortable with all these protocols, and obviously there was some stories about some players who got the virus, but I think these players, they came already with the virus to the hotel; so that's, I think, to don't worry, and the ones that are here, they have been managed very well all these situations.
I'm positive about the tournament and about all the bubble here in Disney and I hope we continue like that until the end of this tournament because we are already here. We want to make this tournament and we want to do well and I want everyone to be safe and everyone to go back home safe and happy.
Q. I wanted to ask you, in light of Carlos Vela announcing -- or not announcing, it being reported, assume, that he was not going to participate, can you give any thought to not competing in the MLS Is Back Tournament?
NANI: No. I have different mind and different way to think about soccer, about everything that's going on in the world, about myself. Because I always try in the difficult moments to find a motivation to keep going, thinking about life, don't stop. You must continue to live. You must continue to believe on the future, and I always think if I stop now, I will not be able to continue further when there is a possibility. That's why my decision always was came to this tournament, continue to make my way to what I want.
And obviously, I heard about some players not coming. That is a situation we all must respect, because part of being a soccer player or athlete, we are human and we must respect some decisions of some players who is not comfortable to be here and they prefer to be with family and protect themselves and their family lies.
But I respect, also, everyone who decide to came here, because this is life. We must continue to fight for what we want in our lives and to make a better world and better moments and better days.
Q. Thanks for the time. I wanted to know, what is more difficult for you guys as players: The mental part into this tournament with being at home first and then getting to train, and now this, or the physical and tactical part, having your team and your coaching staff and your philosophy that you need to implement?
NANI: I think the hardest is the mental part, because once you are here, you are away from your home, your family, and you are not allowed to see them regular or any day you want; you can't.
So you must be strong and wait until end of the tournament, because that's what everybody wants to be at the end of the tournament. Once you think like that, you know, it's going to be long, but you must handle it, and you must be strong and believe everything's going to be okay, and then try to maintain the contact and communication with your family, make sure they are safe, because I think this is the most difficult part.
But I think if you manage it well, everything from outside will look easy, and at the end everyone will smile and be much stronger than ever because we did one step over a difficult moment.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports