The sun bore down on the training ground in Doha, but Pedro Miguel—known to his teammates as Ró-Ró—barely felt the heat. His focus was absolute as he slid into another challenge, clean and clinical, sending the ball rolling into midfield.

“He doesn’t talk much, but he doesn’t need to,” said the assistant coach, arms folded. “When he plays, it’s like steel with purpose.”

Later, after the session, a younger defender approached him hesitantly. “Pedro… how do you always know where to be?”

Pedro gave a quiet chuckle, tugging off his gloves. “You don’t always know,” he said, his voice calm. “You just read the man, not the ball. The rest comes from discipline.”

And as the floodlights flickered on for the evening session, Pedro Miguel was already at the edge of the box—silent, still, watching. Waiting. A wall that didn’t need to boast to be feared.