Benfica president Rui Costa was inevitably present Thursday night in the wake of Fernando Challana, which takes place at the Basilica da Estrela, in Lisbon.
“Chalana is not just an icon for Benfica, he is one of the greatest icons of Portuguese football. I don’t know if he’s on Eusebio’s side, but he’s definitely on the level of the greats. He was one of my childhood idols. I haven’t seen Eusébio play, but for people of my generation it was the best I’ve seen playing in a Benfica shirt. Among those I have seen, he is perhaps the greatest genius in Portuguese football. Everything was on the field: magic, imagination, dribbling without even touching the ball … ”, said club captain da Luz, who remembers:
“He was also my last coach and someone I’m proud to be alone with. Everyone knew the player, but it’s important to mention how great a person he was. He continued to coach the youth team at Benfica and there was no one to dislike. A person of tremendous humility, he managed Who wins everyone.
“Any player at Benfica knows that the number 10 is an extra responsibility, because Chalana left it as a reference. It is true that Eusebio also used this number, I inherited this number from Faldo, but whenever someone uses it, they are reminded that it is Chalana’s number,” he continued, and soon asked what honor he had planned for the “little genius”, as well as the number 10 which he had not It is used in the current season. “We’ll do something else, but for now we’re still very emotional. I appreciate the countless suggestions we’ve received in the past few hours. His memory will continue through various initiatives. We’ll decide later,” he said.
Rui Costa was also challenged to throw the trustee at Chalana if he plays today. “Get out? Never… you’ll never let Shallana out. If I had to sign him, I’d break the transfer record. But that’s me, I repeat, who never saw Eusebio play.”
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