Jackson Martínez sets target: “I believe FC Porto can retain title” | OneFootball

“I always believe FC Porto can win back-to-back titles, but there’s no point talking about it beforehand. We have to see how the team keeps playing. The challenges will be new, and the other teams will also try to stop FC Porto from winning again,” Jackson Martínez told Lusa during the fourth edition of Liga Portugal Legends, held in Nazaré.

The former Colombia international represented the ‘Dragons’ between 2012 and 2015, a period in which he scored 92 goals and won one league title and two Cândido de Oliveira Super Cups.

At 39, and with experience in the Portuguese league, where he also played for Portimonense between 2018 and 2020, the former ‘blue and white’ captain praised the work done last season, which ended with the Porto side winning the top flight.

“FC Porto had a good league campaign last season and achieved something very difficult: with so many changes, they still managed to win the title. Now, we have to support the team and try to help them do their best, not only for themselves, but also for the fans and for the plans the board has,” he stressed, highlighting the “emotion and joy” of representing FC Porto again in the tournament held in Nazaré.

In a relaxed tone, Jackson Martínez also admitted that he still does not see a player in the current squad, coached by Francesco Farioli, with characteristics similar to his own.

Confidence in winning another Portuguese league title was also expressed by Nuno André Coelho, who was part of the Porto team that won the Portuguese Cup in 2009/10 under Jesualdo Ferreira.

“We always believe. Until the end,” the 40-year-old former defender told Lusa, after highlighting how much he enjoys representing the northern club in the tournament organized by the Portuguese Professional Football League.

Convinced that FC Porto will be capable of building a “great team,” Nuno André Coelho also emphasized the importance of the path taken by the ‘Dragons’ in 2025/26.

“Last year was very important to reactivate and revive the mystique that was missing the year before, but that is already back again. Now, it’s about working the way coach Farioli likes to work with the group and showing maximum commitment to retain the title,” the former centre-back said.

Before beginning the defence of their national title, FC Porto will first face the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup, scheduled for 1 August at the Municipal Stadium of Coimbra, against Torreense, a II Liga side and winners of the Portuguese Cup.

Nuno André Coelho, who also wore the shirts of Desportivo de Chaves, Sporting de Braga, Sporting, Portimonense and Penafiel, in turn issued a warning about a match in which “there are always risks.”

“A title is at stake and Torreense will give absolutely everything. The match is always a bit unpredictable, but if FC Porto go into it at 100%, as they showed yesterday [Saturday] in the presentation match [a 2-1 win over England’s Aston Villa], I think they can win the first title of the season,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.