Benfica’s president Rui Costa on Tuesday took winning the title of Portuguese football champion as his “goal of the year” and rejected nepotism as rivals have the same ambition.
“I expect from this internship what we did last year and started here: total focus on what we need to do. We know the importance of this internship for the unity of the group, but above all total focus on the year’s objective, to fight for the 39 and here is the starting point,” he said upon arrival at St. George’s Park, where the ‘red’ team is conducting a pre-season training camp.
Rui Costa emphasized that the national champion team must work in the same way to rehabilitate the title and recalled that the opponents leave with the same ambition, emphasizing that he expects an extraordinary championship.
“There are no favorites. It’s easier than [o Benfica] be the main goal, because he is competing as a national champion, but what is behind is behind. It will be a more difficult championship than last year. We have to prepare the season in the best way and we have to focus on this season, put behind what we have done,” he said.
Regarding Rafa’s renewal process, the president of the ‘incarnates’ revealed that he will take advantage of the internship to talk to the striker.
“Rafa is one of the players with the most years at Benfica and who has given the most to the club. He deserves all our respect. I will have time at this stage to talk to Rafa and everything will be done with the utmost respect .” , he said.
Rui Costa also commented on news of Portugal international João Félix being formed at the club pointing to a possible target for the new season, stating that this is a player for Spanish side Atlético de Madrid.
“Who wouldn’t want to see Joao Félix at Benfica? He’s an excellent player, a great person. He’s a boy who grew up with us, one of us, but at the moment he’s an Atletico de Madrid player. As already our boys, as we call them, we want them to have the best in the world. They deserve the very best,” he stressed.
The chairman of the ‘incarnados’ also revealed interest in several Benfica players, such as striker Gonçalo Ramos, and was enthusiastic about the return of the Argentine Di Maria, bringing total harmony with coach Roger Schmidt in pre-season revealed.
Source: DN
