João Simões is back and warns Sporting: “We're far from our best” | OneFootball

João Simões has rejoined Sporting training after several months out due to an injury to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The midfielder recalled the difficult period he went through and highlighted Nuno Santos as one of the most important people throughout the recovery process.

“It was an eye-opener. Football doesn’t always move forward. Sometimes we have to fall. I was very lucky. In the first injury, I had Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança. They were a huge help. They made me see things more lightly. In this second one, even more so with Nuno,” João Simões began by saying in an interview with Sporting TV.

The young midfielder then had particularly strong words for his teammate. “I feel the pain of Nuno still not being available. He was the player who helped me the most. He gave me a lot of support. When I was in pain, he would tell me, ‘Kid, you have to keep fighting.’ He is one of the most important people in the squad.”

After a phase he described as “very difficult,” João Simões now looks at his return with a different mindset. “Now it’s about being happy again, enjoying it with the team and playing at Alvalade again. That’s behind me now. It’s part of life and of a career,” he said, also highlighting the support he received from Rui Borges and the rest of the coaching staff during his absence.

“I learn a lot from the coaching staff. During both injuries, they supported me and reassured me. In every training session they try to help me. The coach helps me a lot. Every decision he makes is for the good of the team. I’m very grateful for every moment and every game I’ve played. I’ve had to grow in many aspects. Even today I still have to grow. I’m going to try to get back to full fitness,” he added.

João Simões watched Sporting’s latest results from the sidelines and believes the response to the recent draws could come as soon as the away trip to Braga. “We have very young players with huge room for improvement. We need to be a little patient. We lost 10 or 11 players and new ones have come in. But we are showing that we have a lot of quality. We drew one or two games where we switched off a little.”

The midfielder was even clearer about the Lions’ next challenge. “We have to respond in Braga. That’s where you see the big teams. When things aren’t going well, we have to take on the responsibility we have. We are far from our best, but we are trying to get there,” he stressed.

The only midfielder carrying over from last season, João Simões also takes on a role in helping the new signings settle in. “I try to pass on the DNA that was passed on to me as an academy player. I try to pass it on and help them. I can contribute with energy, the physical side of the game. I have a lot to give, I’m young, and I’m taking the opportunity to grow with the new teammates. I try to take a little from each one.”

His return will also come with a new responsibility: Sporting’s number 8 shirt, previously worn by names such as Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Nunes and Pote. “There is a lot of responsibility because of the players who wore the number 8 shirt. It is already a responsibility to play for Sporting. I really like the number and I will have to show that I deserve it,” he concluded.

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