Luuk de Jong bids farewell to FC Porto: “Playing here was special” | OneFootball

Luuk de Jong is leaving FC Porto and gave statements to the club’s official channels. It was this Friday that the Dragons confirmed the departure of the 35-year-old Dutch forward. Among various topics, the player spoke about the title celebrations:

“I had never seen anything like it, it was an incredible celebration. As soon as we got on the boat, with the sunset over the city, the view was already wonderful. But then, seeing all those people on the banks of the Douro… There were so many people there at that moment. It feels like I had never seen so many people gathered at the same time. And then, the whole boat trip under the bridges with the fireworks, it was truly something special.”

Luuk de Jong also spoke about the tears in Aliados:

“When we get older, we think about many things. And just like winning trophies, it is something special. Not every footballer gets to win titles. I have won some trophies, but at my age, at such a high level, and without knowing whether this might be the last title, you start thinking about these things… Maybe this is the last time I win a trophy, that’s what I thought at that moment. When the ceremony ended and I went back, it sank in that maybe it was the last time I did it.”

The forward also spoke about the injury he suffered, the affection of the fans, and the goal against Sporting:

“When you suffer an injury like that and are out injured for so long, I wouldn’t expect so much affection from the fans. I thought I would fade a little into the background, that maybe they would forget about me. But I think the goal I scored against Sporting had a big impact. Maybe not just that.”

Luuk de Jong also praised the image he will take away from FC Porto:

“I already knew how big FC Porto is, obviously, and my image of the club has not changed. The impression of how great the city and the people are, the members of this club, is amazing, how huge all of this is. Because if so many people come to celebrate with you, that means it really is enormous. But I already knew that. As I said, this is a giant and incredible club, with a lot of history and great trophies. Playing for FC Porto was special.”

“Now that I’m getting older, I think more about what all of this means to the fans. When you’re younger, you’re just playing football, living in the moment and celebrating. But now I understand why this sport is so huge, why so many people love it and devote their lives to it. And we, as footballers, are just passing through. But for them, the club is for life, and that is why when we look into their eyes we realize how much this club means to these people, to the fans who make this club special,” Luuk de Jong added.

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