The sex therapist wife of Rui Patricio has revealed the sexy plan she thinks will give players a boost.
Patricio, who today joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a four-year deal, has headed to this summer’s showpiece as Portugal’s number one between the sticks.
He was beaten three times during the thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain.
While he’s focused on keeping clean sheets, his wife, Vera Ribeiro, is more of an expert at what goes on beneath them – and she’s urged national team coach Fernando Santos to tell his players to masturbate as it could enhance their chances of coming first in Russia.
Dr Ribeiro, a psychologist who specialises in sexual matters, has published a book examining the love lives of footballers called ‘Manual of Seduction’.
In it she argues that players, whose performances in Russia will be scrutinised by millions of fans watching the tournament around the globe, should be encouraged to indulge themselves as a means of relieving stress and coping with anxiety.
She says that “nothing positive comes from sexual abstinence” – and that players should also be allowed to make love before games.
Dr Ribeiro, appearing on Portuguese TV, added: “The football player should not abstain from having sex before games, but we also know that in terms of routine they are not in contact with families either.
“We can not associate sports performance with the occurrence of sex.”