Mário Figueiredo hails Benfica, slams Sporting: they couldn't keep up | OneFootball

Mário Figueiredo analyzed Benfica and Sporting’s race for João Palhinha and believes the Lions ultimately ended up being overtaken by their rivals due to financial limitations. For the commentator, the Alvalade club realized it did not have the means to keep up with the Eagles.

"Sporting realized it didn’t have the legs for the Palhinha deal," he said on Now, explaining that Sporting’s wage ceiling ultimately proved decisive in leaving the way clear for Benfica. The midfielder is now very close to returning to Portugal to represent the club from Luz.

In the journalist’s view, the signing also meets a sporting need for Benfica and fits in with Marco Silva’s wishes: "Rui Costa has to give the coach what he wants" to avoid the manager being able, at the end of the season, to point the finger at the board if the objectives are not met.

Mário Figueiredo also addressed the situation of Luis Suárez, arguing that Rui Borges tried to downplay an issue that, in his opinion, required greater seriousness.

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