Rui Costa may cut ties with Sporting, Porto: "We won't progress here" | OneFootball

Rui Costa does not rule out the possibility of cutting ties with rivals FC Porto and Sporting if the current tense atmosphere among the 'big' clubs of Portuguese football persists.

“We will not grow if we remain in this jungle, Benfica will always be willing to contribute to the growth of Portuguese football, while not refraining from lamenting when necessary. [cutting ties with FC Porto or Sporting?] It is not a situation I wish for or want, I hope never to have to reach these situations,” commented the Encarnado leader in an interview with Rádio Antena 1.

The candidate for re-election to the presidency of Benfica in the October 25 elections also addressed the transfer market and referred to footballers with a past at the club who were sought after but ended up going elsewhere.

“We sought Nélson Semedo, we tried João Félix, it is evident that if Bernardo Silva is willing to return, whoever is the president of Benfica will want to bring Bernardo Silva back, especially since we know he is a true Benfiquista and would very much like to return. Whoever is in this position, if he is available, will do everything to bring him home,” he recalled.

In the same interview with the public radio, Rui Costa gave high praise to Fredrik Aursnes: “He is a player I fully believe could end his career at Benfica, such is the quality and capability he possesses. He has Benfiquismo within him. I think Benfica has made very good acquisitions over the years,” he analyzed.

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