Paulinho's prophecy and Edu's "drunk rot"
A year ago, when Sporting were also national champions, Paulinho made a guarantee: neither Ruben Amorim nor Viktor Gyökeres would leave during the summer, ensuring that the successful duo would remain for the following season. The coach ended up leaving in November, with the Swede staying until the end of the season — in other words, in everything he could control, the famous kit man of the Lions was right.
This year, after Sporting became national champions for the second time, Paulinho is already trying to repeat the prophecy. “I’m going to say something here in front of you all: there’s no point in spending the whole week worrying about Gyökeres going, Gyökeres going… Let’s calm down, my friends! We’re here to celebrate. This coach deserved to win this Championship. Ruben Amorim is also involved in this, he also deserved it. João Pereira also deserved it. This Championship was won with the three coaches. It’s for the technical teams, for the coaches and for a person who no one should put down: Dr. Varandas! He managed to get the club back on its feet and no one else was able to do that”, he began by saying, then referring specifically to the future of the Swedish forward.
“Do you know what I’m going to tell you? After the Cup game, you’ll hear some good news. OK? I don’t lie. You saw last year that I don’t lie”, said Paulinho, opening the door to the idea that Gyökeres could actually stay at Alvalade. Still on the pitch, waiting to receive the national champion trophy, Pedro Gonçalves also assured that he will continue to “fight for every game and every title”, assuring that he “hopes to continue” when asked about a possible renewal.
Geovany Quenda, one of the players who is crowned national champion for the first time in his career, recalled that he “always worked hard” to reach the main team. “They are my idols and now it’s time to continue. The team worked hard and I have to do the same job as them”, he began by saying, then showing how excited he was to meet the fans at Marquês de Pombal.
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— Sporting CP ????????? (@SportingCP) May 17, 2025
“Yesterday they showed me videos… Soon it will be me, I will be there living a dream. Last year, when they won the Championship, I was in the pool… I already have videos, I will still put them on Instagram. I can’t see it in the long term, I have to work day-to-day. The most important thing is to be here and now I have to work every minute”, added the Portuguese forward.
Rui Silva, the goalkeeper who arrived in the winter transfer window and took over as Sporting's starting goalkeeper, also recalled that this was “a very important step” in his career. “I am very happy with the way I was welcomed, with the affection of the fans. The way they have treated me... It is an indescribable feeling. I really wanted to win titles and, when I came here, it was with that intention. Being a two-time champion is, without a doubt, very important to make history for the club. We have not reached this milestone for 72 years and we will go down in history forever. I am very happy to be here”, said the Portuguese goalkeeper.
“I have experienced incredible moments, it is difficult to single out one that is most important. But playing here at home with our fans and being able to celebrate this second championship was very important and beautiful”, he added, assuring that the team now has the “ambition” of also winning the Portuguese Cup.
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— Sporting CP ????????? (@SportingCP) May 17, 2025
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Gonçalo Inácio, a young central defender who played in all three of Sporting's championships in the last five years, recalled the “united group”. “We helped each other. We worked hard to stay together until the end and here is the fruit of that. Now it's time to enjoy it. I think that at Marquês de Pombal it will be even better this year, after a difficult season”, he defended.
Eduardo Quaresma, who has been the star of Sporting's most recent celebrations, assured that the victory “feels great”. “It was a very tough Championship, we suffered a lot. Of the three that I won, it was the best”, he said, admitting that he will never forget the goal scored against Gil Vicente, in injury time on the penultimate matchday, which ensured that the Lions went into the derby level on points with Benfica.
“Nobody will forget it! There are people out there who say it was the goal of the championship, but Viktor, at 40 or so, probably won’t be happy…”, he joked, then previewing the party. “Let’s see how the party goes. It’s going to be a very important party. Sporting fans have to be safe and obey the laws. Now it’s time to party, drink. We’re all going to get drunk, maybe we’ll only be okay on Wednesday”, he concluded.
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