Eustáquio: “I feel like a champion as an FC Porto fan and player” | OneFootball

On the verge of representing Canada at the 2026 World Cup, Stephen Eustáquio spoke to Sport TV about FC Porto’s title win and assured that, although he was loaned to Los Angeles FC of MLS in February, he still considers himself a national champion.

In total, the midfielder recorded one goal and one assist in 10 matches, for a total of 602 minutes, in the first half of the season, before then following the team’s journey from afar. “I’m an FC Porto member, so yes, I felt like a champion as a fan, but also as a player,” he began.

“Even though I didn’t play many minutes, there were those tough training sessions on the day after matches, when the starters are recovering and those who didn’t play have to train hard. And sometimes it’s difficult for many players to have to do that session, because you end up upset about not playing and you still have to go there, train, and give everything to show the coach you’re available. And I always did those sessions at full intensity, and I deserve it too for that sacrifice, for trying to push my teammates and myself through the hardest moments of not playing. But still having to train and train with joy, giving everything. That’s why I feel like a champion in that sense, for having helped the team,” he explained.

The Canada international suffered an injury in March and only returned to the pitch at the end of April, so he used that period to recover in Portugal and contribute to Farioli and company. “I did my recovery at FC Porto and the coaching staff were super happy to see me there. They thanked me and said it would be good for me to be in that environment to help the team, because at the time we were going through a period with the Europa League, the Portuguese Cup and the league. There were a lot of games,” he said.

“And from the club structure as well, they also spoke to me: ‘While you’re here, I know you’re at another club, but talk to your teammates and keep things calm.’ And basically I was giving my input here and there, never wanting to interfere in the team’s work, because I was already a bit separate from it. But I was with them, everyone was happy to see me, and that says a lot about what we went through in those five months I was at FC Porto this season. So yes, I do feel like a champion,” he concluded.

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