Villas-Boas got No 2 shirt, hailed FC Porto greats, remembered Conceição | OneFootball

André Villas-Boas traveled to Monção to attend the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of that town’s FC Porto Supporters’ House, in an initiative that brought together around fifty Porto fans and was also attended by Francisco Araújo, the club’s vice-president, as well as former footballers João Pinto, Helton and Rolando.

In his speech, the leader of the blue and whites commented on the gift he received, a painting featuring the number 2 as a tribute to Jorge Costa. “This number 2 stands not only for João Pinto and Jorge Costa, but for many others as well. It means the Porto spirit, sweat, blood, sweat and tears, obviously. It is the only reason we have red numbers on our shirts. It is the soul of FC Porto, it is our DNA, they are people who transformed FC Porto by giving everything, sweating for the shirt like no one else. We have unique images left to us by João Pinto and Jorge Costa, people we always look to as the ultimate meaning of what it is to be a Porto fan, together with Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, and the presence of this number conveys so much of what we are: a people who endure, a Porto spirit that endures, that fights, that wins, that survives, that is demanding, that always wants to win, that wants to be victorious, and these principles and values are very well reflected here in this painting. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. So I will donate it to the Museum, as the president of FC Porto should, though first I’ll keep it a little closer to me, because looking at this number and what it means to us is very important. It also stands for many other people who gave a great deal to FC Porto, first and foremost our president, of course, but it also means Pedroto, Sérgio Conceição, Fernando Santos, Bobby Robson, many coaches, many people who won European titles with me, two of whom are here by my side, Rolando and Helton; they too conquered Europe, 15 years ago this year. All of this sets FC Porto apart as the Club with the most international titles, something that makes us very proud of our history,” said André Villas-Boas, who took the opportunity to look back on the club’s recent period.

“I will finish by saying that FC Porto, after four years, returned to the place it should never leave, and that is why we want to work harder and harder so that we never let go of this first place again. It is a place that belongs to us, where we feel at home, and that is why it is important to maintain our foundations, keep the team strong, and thank a group of players who were unique this season, who despite many changes understood perfectly what FC Porto is. Those who were able to witness that first presentation match at the Dragão Stadium, against Atlético de Madrid, felt a different atmosphere, even taking into account that we were coming off a very difficult season. We move forward together so that we can achieve together. It was the group of players’ and the coach’s unique understanding of what the mystique of FC Porto is that delivered us this 31st title, but we want more. So, we achieved it together, and we move forward together once again, towards another one,” he concluded.

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