The coach talks after the Liga Portugal triumph

After the title win with victory over Vitória SC, and the celebration on the pitch at the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges spoke to journalists and expressed his happiness at winning Liga Portugal.

Winning the title
“It’s special, because of everything the guys were able to do over this time, and how they believed. I also want to give infinite thanks to the fans for what they have done since our first day here. It was very important not only for the coach and the coaching staff to make the group believe that they are unique and incredible, but also for the fans to do that, and it made us almost invincible. They have a great family spirit, but I say this about everyone who works at the Academia every day, from the security guards to the guys who cut the grass to make training go better, to those who work in the food area in the canteen, etc. Only with a collective spirit of believing in ourselves, since day one, together with the fans, could we become two-time champions despite all the setbacks we had. My happiness is the players’ happiness."

His first thought after the final whistle
“I thought about my grandfather, Zé Pedro. All my grandparents have passed away and I believe that they are up there happy and proud of their grandson, but my grandfather Zé Pedro was very special to me and I believe that he is very happy for his grandson. I also thought about my family, my parents, sisters, my wife and my son. In the last 15 days they have suffered a little due to the day-to-day life that Sporting CP and Rui Borges were going through, but they know very well who Rui Borges is as a person and the greatest trophy I can have is the pride of my family and the people who love me. I saw many people in my city, who aren't even Sportinguistas, wanting Sporting CP to win. I'm very proud to be from Mirandela. I'm just a boy from Mirandela who believed in a dream. I wasn't a great player, I wasn't a great student, I was just somebody who believed in a dream and was able to make it come true with a lot of hard work."

The attitude in the squad
“I asked for attitude to never be lacking and it never was, and I also thank the fans who brought that approach to the team. In good times and bad times, the players never lacked attitude and we ended up with zero defeats in Liga Portugal under us, with the best attack and the best defence. I couldn’t be more proud of my team. Sometimes we played better than others, but football is getting more intense and it’s a game for those who are the most competitive. We were always very competitive. We didn’t always win, but no coach wins every game. I couldn’t ask for more from this group, and I’m not saying that because we were crowned champions. If we hadn't won it, I would say the same thing."

Viktor Gyökeres
“It’s easier to win with the whole group together. Viktor had the whole team behind him to help him. He’s extraordinary and will always be one of the best players in the history of Sporting CP and Portuguese football. He's given a lot to Sporting CP, just as the team gave a lot to him. They were all very important and so was he. (...) I believe he’s the best forward in Europe, maybe the world, and I’m happy and rooting for him to win the Golden Boot. He works hard every day and wants to contribute, despite physical difficulties. We'll see what happens in his future soon, but we still have a trophy to win and today is the day to enjoy our second title in a row.”

Ruben Amorim and João Pereira
“Ruben and João were important -each in their own way- and they are champions too. For me, that is a source of pride. João may have gone through a difficult time and things may have been unfair on him, but he certainly has a bright future. As for Ruben, I admire him a lot and he is an example for all of us coaches. I believe they would like to be here celebrating with us.”