"(...) I went through my formative years (rightly) thinking that the whole
reality could be encapsulated in the dramatic tension arising from the
clash between eleven superheroes (Benfica’s players) and their
opponents. I felt no need to become a Star Wars geek or get interested
in Marvel comic-book characters. For me, football matches provided all
answers. Benfica became my idea of morality and, aesthetically, I
believed that nothing could overcome Chalana’s dribbling skills or
Nené’s swift pace. That’s the boy I was then, and still is a major part
of who I am today.
In 1982, I was also facing a dramatic quandary. There were no Benfica
players involved in the World Cup, so I didn’t know which team to
support. (...)"
A Al-Jazeera convidou 32 adeptos dos 32 países participantes a escreverem um texto sobre a sua relação com o Mundial. Calhou-me a mim escrever sobre Portugal, isto é, escrever sobre o Benfica. O texto, em inglês técnico, pode ser lido aqui.
