Palhinha hits back at Sporting fans who booed him: “The irrational…” | OneFootball

João Palhinha responded to the boos he was subjected to at the José Alvalade Stadium, on his return to a place where he spent several years playing for Sporting. The current Benfica midfielder featured in Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales and assured that the reception from Sporting fans did not affect him.

“It didn’t affect me; I remember perfectly when it happened with João Mário, when I had already criticized that attitude myself — I wasn’t even playing for Benfica yet, I was at Fulham,” he began by saying in the mixed zone, recalling a similar episode experienced by his former teammate.

Palhinha insisted that he still has a special connection to Sporting’s stadium, regardless of the reaction from the stands. “What matters to me is having a clear conscience, and I will give everything for the national team regardless of the stadium, whether it’s the Dragão or Alvalade. Nothing changes the fact that it is always special for me to play here; I haven’t forgotten the history I lived here.”

Asked directly about Sporting fans’ resentment over his choice to represent Benfica, the midfielder divided supporters into two groups. “I think people... in football we have rational and irrational fans, and for me, the rational ones will remember that Palhinha stayed in the Club’s worst moment and did everything for the Club.”

“That’s what I value. The irrational ones will only look at the fact that I’m at Benfica and boo, as happened today,” the Portugal international added, offering a direct response to the boos heard at Alvalade.

On the decision to sign for the rival club, Palhinha avoided going into great detail because he is currently on national team duty. “I’m extremely happy to represent Benfica. As for what happened, I can’t speak about it, especially because I’m with the national team, but I will always have the utmost respect for Sporting.”

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