Renato Veiga has spent much of his young career moving between countries, clubs and dressing rooms. At Villarreal, however, the 23-year-old Portugal international has begun a second consecutive season with the same side for the first time, and he hopes the pattern can finally change.
Quick facts
- Veiga is in his second season at Villarreal, his first spell of more than one year at a club.
- He has played top-flight football in Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, England, Italy and Spain.
- His Juventus loan ended with fourth place in Serie A but a Champions League exit to PSV.
- Villarreal face Napoli in the second round of the Champions League league phase.
- Portugal won all four matches during the latest international break, with Veiga featuring in each one.
Born in Lisbon and developed at Sporting, Veiga has also lived in Augsburg, Basel, London, Turin and Vila-real in a little over three years. His father, Nelson, represented Cape Verde internationally, but Renato chose Portugal and was part of the squad that won the 2025 Nations League.
“You can never say never,” Veiga said when asked whether Villarreal now feels like home. “But I am happy here. I hope to stay for a while because I am tired of constantly moving around.”
Italy remains an important stop in that journey. Veiga joined Juventus from Chelsea on loan during a difficult campaign in Turin, one that brought a mid-season change from Thiago Motta to Igor Tudor.
Juventus secured fourth place, but their European exit has stayed with him. Veiga started the 2-1 home win over PSV, then entered late in the return match with Juventus behind and watched the tie slip away in extra time.
That first-leg success remains his only Champions League victory so far. “Playing for Juventus is special, and I had a very good time in Turin,” he said, while admitting the PSV elimination still hurts.
A meeting with Napoli
Villarreal’s previous Champions League campaign was harsh: one point, collected in Turin through Veiga’s 90th-minute goal against Juventus, followed by seven defeats. The defender considers that run closed after a change of coach and a reset in ambition.
The Spanish side opened the new European campaign with a defeat to Borussia Dortmund, but Veiga believes the group is growing ahead of Napoli’s visit. He described the fixture as a demanding but open contest between teams with contrasting approaches and coaches from different generations.
Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri is 59, while Villarreal’s Iñigo Perez is 38. Veiga noted that Napoli have taken seven points from their past three matches and will arrive after defeat to Arsenal looking to respond.
He also urged restraint with six rounds still to follow after the second matchday. A win would bring a lift in confidence, he said, but a defeat would not define either club’s campaign.
Veiga does not follow Serie A closely while playing in Spain, preferring to focus on La Liga, though he still watches Juventus when possible because of the friends he made in Turin. He sees the Bianconeri improving, while stressing that Italy’s league leaves little margin for error.
He regards Juventus and Milan being outside the Champions League places as unexpected. Juventus travel to Celta Vigo in the Europa League on Thursday, and Veiga believes they have enough quality to win despite Celta’s ability on the ball.
“Celta are a good side that plays well, although they have had a difficult start to the season,” he said.
The run of Italian-Spanish contests also includes Roma against Real Madrid. Veiga refused to offer a prediction, calling it a major match and saying the outcome was difficult to read.
His view of the two domestic competitions is shaped by experience rather than nostalgia. Italy, he said, places greater emphasis on tactical detail, sometimes restricting the flow of matches, while Spain gives more room to technique, possession and individual invention. “I can adapt anywhere,” he added.
During the international break, Veiga played in each of Portugal’s four victories. He declined to discuss the reported tension involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus, but praised Milan forward Gonçalo Ramos after his three goals.
“He made the most of his chance and of the minutes he was given,” Veiga said.
