“Playing for FC Porto was special” | OneFootball

Luuk de Jong is leaving FC Porto, a “big and incredible Club, with so much history and great trophies,” after being crowned national champion and experiencing “something special” during the title celebrations. “I now understand why this sport is so huge, why so many people love it and dedicate their lives to it. And we, as football players, are only passing through. But for the fans, 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,” said the striker, for whom “receiving so much affection from the people is truly special.”

The party on the Douro

“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 is as if 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 really was something special.”

And all across the city“The part I felt the most was the journey from Ribeira to Aliados. Because that was when I could really look into the eyes of the fans surrounding the bus and understand how much this means to them and how euphoric they were at that moment. That is when a real connection was made, we felt that we were all close, that we had achieved something together. And that is why, for me, this is always the most special moment of a celebration like this. And, of course, Aliados… I do not need to say anything about that. That stage was something else.”

The passion of the 12th player“Now that I am getting older, I think more about what all this means to the fans. When you are younger, you are 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 dedicate their lives to it. And we, as football players, are only 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.”

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

The fans’ affection“When you suffer an injury like this and are sidelined for so long, you would not 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. Not only that, but also other matches in which I showed what I am capable of doing, although unfortunately I was not able to show enough. I have received many messages, and the people I speak to in the street tell me how much they appreciated my time here. That moved me. It was a difficult year because of my injury, of course, but receiving so much affection from the people is truly special.”

In tears at Aliados“When we get older, we do not take as many things for granted. And, just like winning trophies, this is something special. Not every football player gets to win titles. I have won some trophies, but at my age, at such a high level, and without knowing whether maybe this could be the last title, you start thinking about these things… Maybe this is the last time I will win a trophy, that is what I thought at that moment. When the ceremony ended and I went back, it hit me that maybe it was the last time I would do it.”

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