Virgo
21-10-2003, 09:50:AM
First... background: he was one of the most talented players of the so called portuguese "golden generation" along with Figo, Rui Costa, Joao Pinto, he was a very good support forward that used to score a lot of goals, and the heading was awesome also. He was fast, strong and had a very above average technique which granted him the ability to play in the midfield and as a forward.
He was one of those players you just wish you had on your team, one of those guys who just doesnt give up, that feels the weight of the shirt they are wearing.
With that said its no surprise he was very temperamental also, after knowing he wasnt called up for a very important match because of something he said in the press, he punched the well known coach Artur Jorge at that time manager of the portuguese national team, being suspended from any competition for several months (more than 6 I believe). At that time he had just been bought by Real Sociedad and was at his peak.
He was bought back by Sporting a year later because he was regarded as a symbol of the club and he was missed. And he kept playing good, it was rumoured that Figo had recommended him to be bought by Real Madrid to Fiorentino when they were in need of a third forward, approches were made but they eventually bought Ronaldo which ruined his chance to play in one of the big guns.
One year later the injuries began and they were like 4 or 5 (?) in a row, he was injured till this summer I believe.
Now he seems to be fully fit but he doesnt even get called up for the league matches, what the hell is happening with him? I mean Sporting doesnt have a great team, Fernando Santos buys Silva and leaves a player with the quality of Sa Pinto not even on the bench? Is there a problem between them? If Santos is not planning on playing him you should let him go to finish his career (he's 31 now) in style in another club, is salary shouldnt be low so why are you keeping him.
Long go the times of glory he had for the portuguese national team where he shined in the Euro 96 qualifying and finals.
I miss him :(
He was one of those players you just wish you had on your team, one of those guys who just doesnt give up, that feels the weight of the shirt they are wearing.
With that said its no surprise he was very temperamental also, after knowing he wasnt called up for a very important match because of something he said in the press, he punched the well known coach Artur Jorge at that time manager of the portuguese national team, being suspended from any competition for several months (more than 6 I believe). At that time he had just been bought by Real Sociedad and was at his peak.
He was bought back by Sporting a year later because he was regarded as a symbol of the club and he was missed. And he kept playing good, it was rumoured that Figo had recommended him to be bought by Real Madrid to Fiorentino when they were in need of a third forward, approches were made but they eventually bought Ronaldo which ruined his chance to play in one of the big guns.
One year later the injuries began and they were like 4 or 5 (?) in a row, he was injured till this summer I believe.
Now he seems to be fully fit but he doesnt even get called up for the league matches, what the hell is happening with him? I mean Sporting doesnt have a great team, Fernando Santos buys Silva and leaves a player with the quality of Sa Pinto not even on the bench? Is there a problem between them? If Santos is not planning on playing him you should let him go to finish his career (he's 31 now) in style in another club, is salary shouldnt be low so why are you keeping him.
Long go the times of glory he had for the portuguese national team where he shined in the Euro 96 qualifying and finals.
I miss him :(