“We have to value a team like Athletic”

João Pinto He will be the main star this afternoon in the run-up to the match against Getafe (7pm). The Portuguese will collect from the hands of Jose Angel Iribar the One Club Man 2023 in recognition of his great career as a right back for Porto, the only club of his career, where he won nine Leagues, four Cups and the 1987 European Cup final against Bayern Munich (2 -1) . His career spanned 16 seasons and 587 games, the player with the most games in Dragons history, like Txopo at Athletic. From myth to myth.

i paint He thanked Athletic for the recognition this morning. “I am very happy to receive this award. I thank Athletic and its president for remembering me. It is a joy for me. From now on I am just another fan,” he said in Spanish in the press room. Jose Iragorri of San Mamés.

Jon Berasategi He acted as master of ceremonies. “This is a recognition of the loyalty, commitment, responsibility and respect he has shown João. These are the values ​​for which Athletic is recognized,” said the general director, highlighting what this award means that they have previously collected. Le Tissier (Southampton), Paolo Maldini (Milan), Maier (Bayern Munich), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), McNeill (Celtic), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) and Ricardo Bochini (Independent of Avellaneda). “There will be few things that arouse as much admiration as these footballers, but the love they receive is unparalleled and the admiration is unique. This is how the public of San Mamés will know him this afternoon,” he added. In in this sense, Athletic asks fans to take to the field as soon as possible to pay a fitting tribute to i painta day before Porto turns 130 years of history.

His first memories of Athletic date back to the 80s: “For me, Athletic was a different club. He only played with footballers from here. For me, that’s a different mentality, a different structure. He also won titles in the 80s including Merciful as a coach, two Leagues and a Cup, against opponents such as Barcelona and Real Madrid. We have to value a team like Athletic.

Bobby Robson He said of him that he has two hearts and four legs because of his physical presence in every game. “To play for Porto you have to have a very strong mentality. I’m in the last stage of my career, I’m captain of Porto not by talking a lot but by working a lot. One day Robinson He came to my room and told me that from that moment he would bet with other players. I am 34 years old. I said I would try to complicate the coach’s intentions, to justify why he had to play. When he said that he worked harder than others,” he explained.

Football has changed a lot since then. Today it is more complicated for a star like him to develop his entire professional career in the same team: “In both Spain and Portugal it is very difficult to spend their players for many years in the same club, in this case Porto. The football today is different from previous years. It is very difficult for good players to continue in the same team for many years. Athletic has an example in the current squad with Iker Muniainwhich will arrive today Txetxu Red in second position in the historical ranking of matches played (541), just behind Iribar (614).

Joao Pinto just wants to play. Like when he broke his boot to keep jumping on the fields because it didn’t fit because he was injured. “He is a team footballer. Another player can come in and play well. He has a crack on his left foot. I’m wearing the boots and it hurts. I just want to play to help my team and my teammates achieve success in a difficult time,” he said.

“THEY ARE AN EXAMPLE FOR ME”

Their references are their parents

Football players always have idols they admire before starting their career. Joao Pinto was candid when asked at San Mamés about his references. “He was always my father. I was 14 years old when I joined Porto. They went to talk to my father and he said yes. He is an example for me, like my mother. Therefore, my references are my parents,” he said..