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

Rui Costa does not rule out the possibility of cutting ties with rivals FC Porto and Sporting if the current climate of tension among the “big” clubs in 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, without failing to voice its complaints when it must. [cutting ties with FC Porto or Sporting?] It’s not a situation I wish for or want; I hope never to have to reach such situations,” commented the Reds’ leader, in an interview with Rádio Antena 1.

The candidate for re-election as Benfica president in the October 25 elections also addressed the transfer market and referred to players with a past at the club who were targeted but ended up going elsewhere.

“We approached Nélson Semedo, we tried João Félix; it’s clear that if Bernardo Silva is willing to return, whoever is the president at Benfica will want to bring Bernardo Silva back, especially because we know he’s a true Benfica supporter and would very much like to come back. Whoever is in this position, if he’s available, will do everything to bring him home,” he recalled.

In the same interview with the public radio, Rui Costa showered praise on Fredrik Aursnes: “He’s a player I fully believe could end his career at Benfica, such is the quality and ability he has. He has Benfica spirit in him. I think Benfica has made very good signings over these years,” he analyzed.

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