Bombshell! Sporting unimpressed by Pote's words on social media | OneFootball

Pedro Gonçalves’ statements on social media after the end of the season did not go unnoticed within Sporting and ended up causing some discomfort in Alvalade. The Portuguese international publicly admitted that he did not perform at the level required in the final stretch of the season and justified his below-expected displays with fears related to his physical condition.

“After reflecting and calming down, I’m here to apologize for one of the worst defeats in the club’s history. I have always accepted any criticism, I am not afraid and I admit that I was not at the level this club demands,” wrote the Sporting number 8.

Pote also explained that he never felt completely comfortable after returning from injury. “Mentally, since I came back from the March break, I have not been at my best. My body wanted to, but my head was always holding me back with fear of getting injured,” he added.

According to the newspaper O Jogo, these words were not well received internally, especially because they were interpreted as an indirect exposure of the decisions made by Rui Borges’ coaching staff and also by Sporting’s medical department.

At Alvalade, it was felt that, if the player was not in ideal physical or psychological condition to compete, then he should not have been an option to be included in the team in the final matches of the season. That interpretation caused some unease at a time when the internal atmosphere remains sensitive after the defeat to Torreense in the Portuguese Cup final.

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