Paulo Cunha's message to Benfica, with a nod to Sporting and Porto: "Efficiency" | OneFootball

Sports journalist Paulo Cunha used his weekly opinion column in the newspaper 'A Bola' to send a message to Benfica – which already has new goals for the season – and their respective rivals, Sporting and Porto, where he discussed the common dilemma faced by all three clubs: whether to be effective and achieve good results while also playing football that dazzles the fans.

"Should a team focus exclusively on results, no matter the cost, without worrying about brilliance, or should it strive to put on a show while still aiming for victory, that artistic flair Jorge Jesus brought into football’s vocabulary, even if that choice brings greater risks?" Paulo Cunha began by asking.

Following the perspective of those he calls ‘resultadistas’ (results-driven), Paulo Cunha decided to contrast this with those who prefer daring football: "The resultadistas have a powerful argument: in the end, what matters are the victories. How many people today remember the aesthetic quality of some champions? The trophy is lifted, the smiles are forever captured in photos, and the rest fades with time. The advocates of spectacle counter that football is an art born from risk, daring, and creative improvisation – a lure that draws crowds and wins over new generations. Winning is good, yes, but enchanting is what turns triumphs into legends."

The sports journalist also argues that playing good football attracts financial revenue, stating that the coaches of the ‘big three’ have the tools to do so: "Good football is also a financial asset. Players who shine on the field become more valuable, attractive to wealthy markets, and generate income. A team that enchants attracts sponsors, sells shirts, and creates legends that travel the world. So, Rui Borges, Bruno Lage, and Francesco Farioli should take note, as all of them have enough eggs to make gourmet omelets in 2025/26."

Finally, Paulo Cunha recalled the last times he saw Benfica, Sporting, or Porto combine effective results with strong performances: "The last time I saw Sporting, Benfica, and FC Porto combine effectiveness and beauty? The Lions in the first months of last season, until Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United; the Eagles in the first half of 2022/23, under Roger Schmidt, whose batteries lost energy as soon as Enzo Fernández left for Chelsea; the Dragons in 2021/22, led by Sérgio Conceição, betrayed by the departure of Luis Díaz in January to strengthen Liverpool."

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