Sporting winner explains Amorim issue: “No comfort abroad” | OneFootball

Ricardo Esgaio recalled some of the most memorable moments of his connection with Sporting and had high praise for Ruben Amorim, the coach he worked with at Alvalade and whom he believes has an easily recognisable footballing identity.

In an interview with the Lusa news agency, the current Gil Vicente player highlighted the structure the coach found in place at Sporting and which, in his view, gave him particularly favourable conditions. “At Sporting, he had a staff that gave him a lot of comfort. When he arrived abroad, maybe he didn’t have that same comfort and had to decide everything. And he likes to decide everything, but there comes a point when it gets complicated.”

Even so, Esgaio believes Ruben Amorim’s trademark remains perfectly identifiable. “When we look at one of his teams, we recognise Ruben Amorim’s identity. Even if we didn’t see him on the bench, we would realise that team was his,” said the 33-year-old full-back.

The defender’s career is deeply tied to Sporting, the club where he spent much of his youth development. It was precisely at Alvalade that he first worked with Abel Ferreira, in the youth team and the B team. “He had already been my coach at Sporting, in the youth team and the B team, and he was the one who took me to Braga; he was decisive in my career,” he recalled.

Jorge Jesus also featured in one of the player’s spells at Alvalade. Although he was not a regular choice, Esgaio holds a very positive opinion of the current national team manager. “I didn’t play much, but he is an unquestionable coach. We know the quality he has; I learned a lot”, he stressed.

However, the most meaningful moment came with his return to Sporting in 2021. Esgaio returned to Alvalade with greater experience and joined a team that won several trophies. “Fortunately, I managed to return to Sporting and we achieved unforgettable successes. The national title was the one I wanted most”, he admitted.

Looking back on some of the footballers who left the biggest mark on him throughout his career, the full-back also mentioned several former teammates at the Lions. Sebastián Coates, Pedro Porro, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres were among the names highlighted by Ricardo Esgaio as some of the highest-quality players with whom he shared a dressing room.

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