The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 25 Interview with Portuguese Author and Journalist Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira on Paulo Futre in 1993, the year of the four clubs)

 

For this interview, I look back at Portuguese star Paulo Futre’s calendar year 1993 that included spells in four clubs.

The interview is in English and Portuguese.

The Interviewees is:

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira

Mr. Pereira is a Journalist and Author.

Mr. Pereira’s books include the following: Sueños de la Euro: El torneo que reconcilió a un continente (2021), Noches europeas: historia de las competiciones europeas de clubs (1897-2015) (2015), Sonhos Dourados: 20 Mundiais - 20 Histórias (2014)

 

 

Mr. Pereira’s contact info:

twitter: @Miguel_LPereira

Book links:

https://www.amazon.es/Sue%C3%B1os-Euro-Miguel-Pereira/dp/8412073533

https://www.amazon.com/Noches-europeas-Miguel-Louren%C3%A7o-Pereira/dp/8494458434

https://www.amazon.com/Sonhos-Dourados-20-Mundiais-Hist%C3%B3rias/dp/9892047397

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Let’s start off the year in January 1993, what was the state of affairs with Paulo Futre at Atletico Madrid?

 

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Vamos começar o ano em janeiro de 1993, qual era a situação com Paulo Futre no Atlético de Madrid?

 

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  There was a feeling around Futre in 1993 that he had lost the opportunity of having a big career in European football. When he won the European Cup with Porto, back in 1987, he was one of the most coveted players in world football and was near to sign for Inter. He always dreamt of playing in the Serie A, the golden league of the day, but then Jesus Gil y Gil, who was trying to win the presidency of Atletico Madrid came with an offer that neither he or the club could refuse, and he ended up being his wild card to victory. Six years on things hadn´t gone according to plan. He had become an idol in the Calderon, probably the greatest ever of the club’s history beside Luis Aragonés, but he never managed to win real silverware, besides two Copa del Rey, one against their eternal rival at their homegrown stadium. Futre never won the League – during his time the Quinta del Buitre peaked, and the Dream Team was born – and neither the Cup Winners Cup nor the UEFA Cup. At the same time Portugal had failed to qualify to every single tournament after being present in both France 84 and Mexico 86, with him already with the national side. So, he was looking for new challenges, his relationship with Gil, although, violent and hard president, was beginning to sour to the extreme and with Atletico getting further away from the possibility of winning titles with the rising of new powers like Deportivo or Valencia. He needed a change and he needed it fast. 

 

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese): Havia a sensação à volta de Futre, em 1993, que tinha desperdiçado a oportunidade de uma grande carreira no futebol europeu. Quando venceu a Taça dos Campeões com o Porto, em 1987, transformou-se num dos jogadores mais desejados do futebol mundial e esteve perto de juntar-se ao Inter. Sempre sonhou em jogar na Serie A, a verdadeira liga de elite da época, mas entretanto Jesus Gil y Gil, que se candidatva à presidência do Atlético de Madrid, apareceu com uma oferta que nem ele nem o clube podiam recusar e acabou por ser o seu trunfo para vencer. Seis anos depois as coisas não tinham corrido como tinha previsto. Tinha-se efectivamente transformado num idolo para oCalderon, provavelmente o maior da história do clube ao lado de Luis Aragonés, mas nunca conseguiu verdadeiramente transfomar isso em titulos, além de duas Copas del Rey, uma conquistada contra o eterno rival no seu estádio. Futre nunca ganhou a liga espanhola – durante a sua etapa a Quinta del Buitre atingiu o seu pico e o Dream Team nasceu – e nem sequer a Taça das Taças ou a Taça UEFA. Ao mesmo tempo Portugal tinha falhado a qualificação para todos os torneios disputados depois de ter estado no França 84 e Mexico 86, este ultimo com Futre como protagonista precoce. Assim ele procurava claramente por um novo desafio, a sua relação com Gil, um presidente duro, violento e severo, estava a começar a azedar ao extremo e com o Atlético afastando-se cada vez mais da possibilidade de vencer titulos com a ascensão de novas potências como o Deportivo e o Valencia, necessitava uma mudança e necessitava que essa acontecesse rápido.

 

 

Photo From: Don Balon-SpainDon Balon - Apendice Extra LigaDon Balon-Extra Liga 9293

(Paulo Futre at Atletico Madrid 1992/93)

Soccernostalgia Question: There were always rumors with Futre wanting to leave, whether to Real Madrid or Paris St. Germain (with Artur Jorge in charge). The volatile Atletico Madrid President Jesus Gil always held firm with his most prized possession. Was he at this point feeling that Futre had gone as far as he could, and he was just cutting his losses?

 

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Sempre houve rumores de que Futre queria sair, seja para o Real Madrid ou para o Paris St. Germain (com Artur Jorge no comando). O volátil president Jesus Gil do Atlético de Madrid sempre se manteve firme com seu bem mais precioso. Ele estava neste momento sentindo que Futre tinha ido tão longe quanto podia e ele estava apenas cortando suas perdas?

 

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  He was a complex personality, firing more coaches than any other president in the club’s history, almost none completing the season. He treated players like slaves and only respected Futre because he had a great character, had become club captain and the fans were always on his side. However, the promise of Futre being the European Maradona of 1987 was fading way, the club was having financial loses and eventually it seemed, after six years, that the best part of his career had already gone by so Gil was comfortable of letting him leave for the right price.  

 

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese): Gil tinha uma personalidade complexa, despedindo mais treinadores do que qualquer outro presidente na história do clube, quase nenhum completou a temporada. Tratava os jogadores como escravos e só respeitava Futre porque este tinha um grande caracter, era o capitão e tinha sempre os adeptos do seu lado. No entanto, a promessa de que ele seria o Maradona Europeu, em 1987, começava a desvanecer-se, o clube tinha problemas financeiros sérios e parecia que, depois de seis anos, a melhor etapa da sua carreira já tinha passado pelo que Gil estava suficientemente cómodo para o deixar ir pelo preço certo.

 

 

Soccernostalgia Question: In January 1993, his former club Sporting CP, appeared to be the destination of Futre. What did Benfica do to hijack the deal?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Em Janeiro de 1993, o seu antigo clube Sporting CP, parecia ser o destino do Futre. O que fez o Benfica para sequestrar o negócio?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  Benfica was having a difficult period, economically, and they felt they needed to do something to avoid a period of dominance in Portuguese football of their main rivals Porto. At the same time Sporting, who hadn´t themselves won the league in ten years – their greatest drought period that would be of 18 at the end of the decade – was ready to gamble all in recovering what was their first lost pearl of the youth setup that got away. What Benfica did was get help from the public television, RTP, to help them fund the transfer for the numbers Gil demanded to let the player go at midseason. So. Gil and Futre set up a plan, pretending that they had fallen apart for the Atlético fans and, at the same time, started a bidding process with both Sporting and Benfica, promising that he would be going to whatever club paid more. The deal was struck with Benfica in few days and raised a turmoil among rival fans as the state was, effectively, helping the club bringing one of the world’s greatest players, to turn the tables of Portuguese football in midseason. Eventually the RTP president ended up being dismissed by the Portuguese PM latter in the year. In the end that only increased Benfica´s difficult financial situation and started a series of maneuvers by Sporting President of what was going to be known has the hot summer of 1993.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese):  O Benfica vivia uma etapa dificil, eocnomicamente, e sentiam que tinham de dar um golpe na mesa para evitar um periodo de dominio no futebol portugues dos seus maiores rivais, o Porto. Ao mesmo tempo o Sporting, que não vencia a liga há 10 anos – a maior seca de titulos da sua história que se ampliaria a 18 até ao final da década – estava preparado para arriscar tudo em recuperar a sua primeira grande pérola perdida da formação. O que o Benfica conseguiu foi ajuda da televisão estatal, RTP, para financiar o negócio e chegar aos números pedidos por Gil. O presidente do Atlético e Futre desenharam um plano, fingindo que tinham cortado relações para apaziguar os adeptos do Atlético e, ao mesmo tempo, começaram um leilão com Benfica e Sporting, prometendo que iam para o clube que pagasse mais. O negócio fechou-se em poucos dias com o Benfica e levantou enorme polémica com os adeptos dos clubes rivais pela ingerência de um orgão estatal em facilitar a chegada, a meio da época, de um dos maiores jogadores do mundo a um clube. Eventualmente o primeiro-ministro português acabou por dispensar o presidente da RTP nesse ano. No final a rábula só aumentou as dificuldades financeiras do Benfica e deu inicio a uma série de manobras do presidente do Sporting que acabaria no célebre verão quente de 1993.

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2449, March 16, 1993

(Paulo Futre at Benfica)

Soccernostalgia Question: Sporting President Jose de Sousa Cintra was so angered that according to Sporting Manager, the Englishman Bobby Robson, he cut off ‘diplomatic ties’ with Benfica. When Robson (along with his Assistant Manuel Fernandes) wanted to observe Benfica in a Cup match v. Porto, Sousa Cintra forbade them to sit in the Benfica’s Director’s boxes as guests. He had to purchase his own tickets. How bad did things get between the clubs?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: O presidente do Sporting, José de Sousa Cintra, ficou tão indignado que, segundo o Sporting Manager, o inglês Bobby Robson, cortou os “laços diplomáticos” com o Benfica. Quando Robson (junto com o seu Adjunto Manuel Fernandes) quis observar o Benfica num jogo da Taça contra o Porto, Sousa Cintra proibiu-os de se sentarem nos camarotes do Director do Benfica como convidados. Ele teve que comprar seus próprios ingressos. Quão ruim as coisas ficaram entre os clubes?

 

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  Real bad. Sousa Cintra was a tough guy and declared open war to Benfica after they hijacked Futre so he spent the next months trying to lure Benfica´s best players to the club, taking advantage of their financial situation. He managed to get Paulo Sousa and Pacheco to sign – the two starting midfielders – and almost did the same with João Vieira Pinto. After he sacked Robson, he also got Carlos Queiroz from the Portuguese national team, to try to use him as bait to get all the top players from the golden generation Queiroz had worked with to sign for Sporting in the coming seasons.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese): Bastante mal. Sousa Cintra era um homem duro e declarou guerra aberta ao Benfica depois do desvio de Futre, passando os meses seguintes a atrair os melhores jogadores do Benfica para o seu clube, aproveitando-se da sua situação financeira. Conseguiu-o com Paulo Sousa e Pacheco – dois dos médios titulares – e esteve perto de o lograr também com João Vieira Pinto. Depois de despedir Robson, também contratou Carlos Queiroz, então seleccionador, para atrair os melhores jogadores da geração de ouro.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Paulo Futre managed to win the Portuguese Cup in his few months at the club. How was his general performance overall at the club?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Paulo Futre conseguiu vencer a Taça de Portugal nos seus poucos meses no clube. Como foi seu desempenho geral no clube?

 

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  Futre found a Benfica team in disarray and had almost to no impact in the Portuguese league as Porto was securing a new league tittle comfortably. but he ended up being a key figure in the cup campaign playing one of the best matches of his career in the final against Boavista. It was one of the most spectacular cup finals in history and Futre resembled, for the first time in months, the golden player he had been in the late 80s. Ironically enough it was his only goal in a 1-0 win against Sporting that put them away of any prospect of fighting for the title.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese):  Futre chegou a um Benfica num momento caótico e praticamente não teve impacto no campeonato com o Porto a conseguir um novo titulo de forma confortável mas acabou por ser uma figura fundamental na campanha da Taça, jogando um dos melhores jogos da sua carreira na final contra o Boavista. Foi uma das finais mais espectaculares da história e, por momentos, Futre recordou o futebolista maravilhoso de finais dos 80s. Ironicamente foi seu o único golo que o Benfica marcou ao Sporting na vitória por 1-0 que afastou definitivamente os leões do titulo.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: At the end of the season, can you go into the details that forced him to leave Benfica? Were these reasons Financial (as stars Paulo Sousa and Antonio Pacheco had to be offloaded to Sporting CP)?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: No final da época, pode entrar em pormenores que o obrigaram a deixar o Benfica? Seriam estas razões financeiras (já que os craques Paulo Sousa e Antonio Pacheco tiveram de ser transferidos para o Sporting CP)?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  Benfica had no money, neither for Futre nor a lot of their star players. They managed to keep João Pinto but lost Sousa and Pacheco and were incapable of paying what Futre demanded. Their reinforcements were only local players, and they started the season as long shot favorites for the title – that they eventually would win.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese):  Simplesmente o Benfica não tinha dinheiro, nem para Futre nem para outras das suas estrelas. Conseguiram aguentar João Vieira Pinto mas perderam Sousa e Pacheco e foram incapazes de pagar o que Futre pedia. As suas contratações foram de ambito nacional de tal forma que começaram a temporada longe de ser favoritos para um titulo que, eventualmente, terminariam por vencer.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: For the 1993/94 season, he left an unstable situation to go to an even more unstable place, Olympique Marseille of Bernard Tapie. His third club of the calendar year. OM were engulfed in the OM-Valenciennes scandal. Why did he agree to join a team in this state? Was the arrival of Rui Barros’ perhaps a reason?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Para a temporada 1993/94, ele saiu de uma situação instável para ir para um lugar ainda mais instável, o Olympique Marseille de Bernard Tapie. Seu terceiro clube do ano civil. OM foram envolvidos no escândalo OM-Valenciennes. Por que ele concordou em se juntar a uma equipe neste estado? A chegada de Rui Barros foi talvez um motivo?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  Marseille was already embroiled in the Valenciennes scandal but when Futre arrived there wasn´t still certainty on how far things would go, so it was a logical step for him to sign for the European champion and one of the strongest teams in the world. Tapie was a president much like Gil was and he wanted a star player to keep on winning – after Jean Pierre Papin had left a year before for Milan – and Futre seemed the best possible choice. Having Rui Barros in the squad, who had performed brilliantly with Monaco and new the French league perfectly, was a plus. He served as a translator for Futre and both believed that the scandal would have no serious consequences although time proved them wrong. Futre fell in love with Tapie, they had a great relationship together but as months went by it became clear that OM was going to pay hard for the corruption scandal and that began to sour the environment around the team, the players and the president and Futre became to regret his decision to sign for OM as he also found out that Tapie demanded their star players to play even if injured, taking pain killers, and that decision was decisive for the turning point of his career, his knee injury.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese):  O Marselha já estava envolvido no escandalo de Valenciennes mas quando Futre chega ainda não era certo até onde a justiça ia chegar pelo que parecia uma escolha certa, assinar pelo campeão da Europa e uma das equipas mais fortes do mundo. Tapie era um presidente ao estilo de Gil e queria um jogador celebre para repetir os titulos – depois de um ano antes ter perdido Jean Pierre Papin para o Milan – e Futre parecia a melhor opção possível. Ter Rui Barros no plantel, que já tinha brilhado no Monaco e conhecia a liga francesa à perfeição, ajudou já que serviu de traductor e ambos acreditavam que o escandalo Vallencienes não ia ter consequencias severas apesar de que o tempo demonstrou que estavam errados. Futre apaixonou-se por Tapie, tiveram uma excelente relação mas à medida que se percebeu a extensão da penaliação que o OM ia sofrer o ambiente entre jogadores e presidente azedeu e Futre acabou por arrepender-se enormemente da decisão, até porque descobriu que Tapie forçava os seus jogadores a infiltrar-se para jogar o que se revelou determinante para aquele que seria o momento mais marcante da sua carreira, a lesão no joelho.

 

Photo From: Panini France 1993/94

(Paulo Futre at Olympique Marseille 1993/94)

Soccernostalgia Question: As the scandal wore on, OM were forced to sell off their most valuable assets. By November, Alen Boksic (to Lazio), Marcel Desailly (to AC Milan) and of course Paulo Futre were sold off. Futre joined struggling Italian side Reggiana. This was his fourth club of the calendar year. Do you know why he did not join a side with higher profile. Were there other offers as well?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: À medida que o escândalo avançava, a OM foi forçada a vender seus ativos mais valiosos. Em novembro, Alen Boksic (para a Lazio), Marcel Desailly (para o AC Milan) e, claro, Paulo Futre foram vendidos. Futre se juntou ao time italiano Reggiana. Este foi o seu quarto clube do ano civil. Você sabe por que ele não se juntou a um lado com maior perfil. Houve outras ofertas também?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  It was November, most of the teams already had their squads filled and we were still in the period pre-Bosman, with limitations for only 3 foreign players per team in the 11 so all the big names in European football had, by then, 5 or 6 foreign stars in their squads, there was simply no room for such a big name like Futre to disrupt their plans. He ended up striking a bargain with Milan. He would sign for Reggiana, so that he could adapt to the Serie A and keep on playing on a regular basis, and when the season ended, he would join the rossoneri squad as they already knew their Dutch players were on the move (Gullit loaned, van Basten announcing the end of his career, Rijkaard moving back to Ajax).

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese):  Era novembro e a maior parte das equipas já tinha os planteis definidos. Estavamos na era pre-Bosman em que só podiam jogar 3 estrangeiros no 11 titular e a maioria dos grandes clubes europeus tinha até 5 ou 6 n oplantel, pelo que não havia espaço para um nome tão grande como Futre sem perturbar a dinamica do grupo. Acabou por chegar a um acordo com o Milan. Assinaria pela Reggiana, para poder adaptar-se à Serie A e continuar a jogar regularmente, e quando a temporada acabasse, juntar-se-ia aos rossoneri que já sabiam que iam perder o seu famoso trio holandês (Gullit estava emprestado, van Basten anunciava o fim da carreira e Rijkaard o seu regresso ao Ajax).

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Can you walk us through his very memorable first (and only match that season) for Reggiana v. Cremonese on November 21, 1993?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Você pode nos mostrar o memorável primeiro (e único jogo daquela temporada) para Reggiana v. Cremonese em 21 de novembro de 1993?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  There was great expectation although in those years with was normal to have top class players in lower rank sides in the Serie A with the limitations of foreign players. It was a match of two teams with small to none elite experience, a forgettable game if it wasn´t for the fact that Futre easily showed how he could have thrived in the Serie A with his pace and technique by scoring at the hour, afterwards, for that terrible knee injury that ended up with his career. In the end it had a certain reminiscence of what would happen with Ronaldo Nazário, a few years later on, although the Brazilian had a season to show is full potential in the tournament. That Reggiana time had also in their line up the Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel, who had come on from Parma, the Romanian Dorin Mateut (who nailed the second goal of that 2-0 victory), and the Italian internationals Michele Padovano and Luigi Di Agostini, so it wasn´t a bad side altogether and they managed to stay in Serie A that season. Futre stayed out for three months and was deemed fit, but he never managed to play in the rest of the season although the club´s medical staff always told him not to opt for surgery. In the end only when he signed for Milan and had another breakdown, he opted for surgery, but it was too late.  

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese): Havia grande expectativa apesar que de que nesses anos era normal que jogadores de elite actuassem por clubes de menor perfil na Serie A pela limitação de estrangeiros. Era um jogo entre dois clubes quase sem experiencia na elite, um jogo que não seria recordado se não fosse pelo facto de que Futre demonstrou que facilmente poderia triunfado na Serie A pela velocidade e técnica que tinha, marcando um golo à hora de jogo, e também, pela terrivel lesão no joelho que depois lhe acabou com a carreira. No fim houve algo que faria lembrar, anos mais tarde, a situação com Ronaldo Nazário apesar do brasileiro ter tido uma época para demonstrar todo o seu potencial. Aquela equipa da Reggiana tinha também o guarda-redes brasileiro Claudio Taffarell, que assinaria pelo Parma, o romeno Dorin Mateut (que marcou o segundo golo da vitória por 2-0 nessa tarde) e os internacionais italianos Michele Padovano e Luigi di Agostini, pelo que não era uma má equipa e conseguiu a permanência nessa temporada. Futre ficou oficialmente de fora três meses até receber alta mas nunca conseguiu voltar a jogar apesar de que os médicos do clube sempre o aconselharam contra a operação. Só quando assinou finalmente pelo Milan e teve uma recaída decidiu finalmente operar-se mas aí já era demasiado tarde.

 

Photo From: 1994-95 Calciatori Panini

(Paulo Futre at Reggiana)

Soccernostalgia Question: After this injury, he was out for than a year and afterwards a sub-par Futre joined AC Milan and West Ham United in shorts spells. Do you feel he was never really the same after this injury or was it age?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Após esta lesão, ele ficou fora por mais de um ano e, posteriormente, um Futre abaixo da média se juntou ao AC Milan e ao West Ham United em períodos curtos. Você sente que ele nunca mais foi o mesmo depois dessa lesão ou foi a idade?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  That injury ended up his career altogether. He was a player known for his speed and the explosion pace and after that he was incapable of performing at the highest physical level ever again. He still had the technical skills but that wasn´t truly enough. That´s why he never managed a long spell at any club. They signed the Futre they knew from before the injury, but the day-to-day training showed them that that player was gone. He wasn´t even able to get fit enough to help Portugal to reach Euro 96 of what would have been, logically, because he was still, young, a competition he could have played having not suffered that knee injury back in 93.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese): Essa lesão acabou com a carreira dele. Era um jogador conhecido pela sua velocidade e poder de explosão e depois disso foi incapaz de voltar a desempenhar-se a um alto nivel fisico. Ainda tinha talento e técnica mas não era suficiente. Esse foi o motivo pelo que as suas etapas seguintes foram sempre de curta duração. Os clubes contratavam o Futre pre-lesão e no trabalho diário descobriam que esse jogador já não existia. Inclusive foi incapaz de estar em forma para jogar o Euro 96, o torneio que, por idade, era suposto ter jogado se não tivesse sofrido aquela lesão em 93.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: This was a very unlucky year for him, as far as the clubs, was it bad luck to join top sides at the worst possible time?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Este foi um ano de muito azar para ele, no que diz respeito aos clubes, foi azar se juntar aos times de topo no pior momento possível?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  Futre has one of those careers where you can easily see, afterwards, that if he had just signed from different clubs his role in history would be totally different. Neither Atlético in 87 was the right choice nor was Benfica or OM in 93 or Milan in 95. In 93, life took him to take the wrong decision everytime and that changed a lot of the perception people have today of him. Perhaps if he had went in 93 straight to Milan or stayed in Portugal for another year to lead Benfica for that 93-94 tittle – he had already won two with Porto back in the 80s – he would have being recognized easier for what he truly was, a player that defined a period in time, at his peak, not Maradona level but clearly in the rank of other great names of his day like Baggio, Romario, Stoichkov, Laudrup, Cantona, Butrageño, Matthaus, Gullit, van Basten or Gascoigne.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese): Futre teve uma daquelas carreiras onde é fácil ver, a posteriori, que se tivesse assinado por diferentes clubes o seu lugar na história seria totalmente diferente. Nem o Atlético em 87 foi a escolha certa nem o Benfica ou o OM em 93 ou o Milan em 95. Em 93 a vida levou-o a tomar decisões erradas repetidamente e isso alterou para sempre a percepção que se tem dele. Talvez se em 93 tivesse ido directamente para Milão ou ficado em Portugal e levado o Benfica ao titulo de 93/94 – depois de vencer dois com o Porto nos anos 80 – fosse reconhecido por aquilo que realmente foi, um jogador de uma época que, no seu ponto alto, não era do nivel de Maradona mas estava claramente ao nivel de outros gigantes da sua geração como Baggio, Romario, Stoichkov, Laudrup, Cantona, Butrageño, Matthaus, Gullit, van Basten ou Gasgoine.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: What are your thoughts on this very strange year for Futre. Is there anything that could have been differently?

Soccernostalgia Pergunta: Quais são seus pensamentos sobre este ano muito estranho para o Futre. Existe alguma coisa que poderia ter sido diferente?

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response:  If he had joined Sporting, instead of Benfica, perhaps Cintra´s dream would have been possible. That would have meant that Sporting would never had to wait 18 years for a league title. That Benfica didn’t have the possibility of winning the 94 league and they may have ended up in a long drought of their own. And Robson would have never left the club to join Porto and lead them to two league titles that preceded and historical run of five years in a row winning the league, still a Portuguese record. That would have meant he had the chance to play the Champions League (which he never did after winning the European Cup in 1987), leading Portugal to Euro 96 has the father figure of the golden generation and, at the same time, without forcing his knee, could have ended up signing for another great European club for the latter stage of his career. In the end he opted for the short run solutions, first with Benfica (who could only afford him for 4 months) and them for OM.

Mr. Miguel Lourenço Pereira ‘s Response (In Portuguese): Se Futre tivesse seguido o coração e regressado ao Sporting talvez o sonho de Cintra tivesse sido possível. Isso significaria que o Sporting nunca teria de esperar 18 anos para vencer a liga. Que o Benfica não teria a possibilidade de ganhar o titulo de 94 e talvez tivesse vivido um periodo sem titulos ainda maior. E Robson nunca assinaria pelo Porto, guiando-lhes aos primeiros dois titulos de uma sequência histórica de cinco, ainda hoje recorde do futebol portuguës. Isso significaria que Futre poderia ter jogado a Champions League (o que nunca conseguiu, depois de vencer a Taça dos Campeões em 1987) e guiado Portugal ao Euro 96 como a figura paterna de uma geração de ouro e, ao mesmo tempo, sem forçar o seu joelho, poderia ter acabado por assinar com outro grande clube europeu na etapa final da sua carreira. No fim de contas optou pelas soluções a curto prazo, primeiro o Benfica (que só o conseguiu ter por 4 meses) e depois pelo OM.

 

 

September 6, 1989-Belgium 3-Portugal 0-World Cup Qualifying

September 6, 1989

Belgium 3-Portugal 0

FIFA World Cup Qualifying -Group 7

Venue: Bruxelles-Stade du Heysel  (Brussels- Heizelstadion)

Attendance: 30,000

Referee: Alexey Spirin (USSR)

Goalscorers: (Belgium): Jan Ceulemans 35th, Marc Van Der Linden 59th, 69th

                    (Portugal): None

Lineups:

Belgium:

1-Michel Preud'Homme (Koninklijke Voetbalclub Mechelen)   [16 / 0]

2-Eric Gerets (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven / Holland) [75 / 2]

3-Georges Grun (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht)  [42 / 3]

7-Stephane Demol (Futebol Clube do Porto / Portugal)  [24 / 1]

5-Michel De Wolf (Koninklijke Vereniging Kortrijk)  [23 / 0]

6-Marc Emmers (Koninklijke Voetbalclub Mechelen)  [10 / 0]

4-Franky Vander Elst (Club Brugge Koninklijke Vereniging)   [30 / 0]

8-Bruno Versavel (Koninklijke Voetbalclub Mechelen)  [7 / 0]

9-Marc Degrijse (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht)   [17 / 6]

11-Jan Ceulemans (Club Brugge Koninklijke Vereniging)  [83 / 21]

10-Marc Van Der Linden (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht)  [12 / 9] (16-Luc Nilis (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht) [8 / 0] 76^th)  

Coach: Walter Meuws

Other Substitutes:

12-Gilbert Bodart (Royal Standard de Liege)

13-Nico Broeckaert (Royal Antwerp Football Club)

14- Patrick Vervoort (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht)

15- Vincenzo Scifo (Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise / France)   

Team Captain: Jan Ceulemans

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2282, January 2, 1990

(Belgium squad, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

Portugal:

1-Silvino de Almeida Louro (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)  [10 / 0]

2-João Domingos Silva Pinto  (Futebol Clube do Porto)  [31 / 1]

3-Peixoto Goncalves Sobrinho  (Racing Paris 1 / France)  [6 / 0]

4-Pedro Manuel Regateiro Venancio (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa) [7 / 0]

5-Antonio August da Silva Veloso (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)  [21 / 0]

6-Carlos Jorge Marques Caldas Xavier (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa)  [4 / 0]

7-Vitor Manuel da Costa Araujo ‘Paneira’ (Sport Lisboa e Benfica) [9 / 3] (16-Jose Rui Lopes Aguas (Futebol Clube do Porto) [9 / 0] 60^th)   

8-Rui Gil Soares de Barros (Juventus Football Club –Torino / Italy)  [9 / 0]

9-Cesar Goncalves de Brito Diarte (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)  [6 / 0]

10-Paulo Jorge dos Santos Futre (Club Atlético de Madrid / Spain)  [18 / 1]

11-Antonio Santos Ferreira André (Futebol Clube do Porto)   [12 / 1]

Coach: Julio Cernadas Pereira ‘Juca’

Booked: Sobrinho 56^th

Other Substitutes:

12- Adelino Augusto Barros Neno (Vitória Sport Clube- Guimarães)
13- Miguel Alberto Fernandes Marquez (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa)

14- Jorge da Costa Ferreira (Vitória Futebol Clube-Setúbal)

15- Jaime Fernandes Magalhaes (Futebol Clube do Porto)  

Team Captain: João Domingos Silva Pinto

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

Notes:

-Match number 484 for Belgium and number 283 for Portugal.

-This was the 13th meeting between the nations.

-The previous match between the nations, as well as the previous match on Portuguese soil, was the first Leg of this qualifier on February 15, 1989 that ended in a (1-1) tie at Lisbon.

Belgium players: Michel Preud'Homme, Eric Gerets, Georges Grun, Michel De Wolf, Bruno Versavel, Marc Emmers, Stephane Demol, Marc Van Der Linden, Franky Vander Elst, Marc DeGrijse, Vincenzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans and Gilbert Bodart and Portugal players: Silvino, Joao Pinto, Sobrinho, Veloso, Paneira, Cesar Brito, Rui Barros and Paulo Futre were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Ceulemans and Joao Pinto were once again the respective teams’ Captains.

Marc Van der Linden came on as a substitute for Stephane Demol in the 76^th minute.

Cesar Brito came on a a substitute for Paneira in the 86^th minute.

Stéphane Demol was booked in that match.

Juca managed Portugal that day, but Walter Meeuws still had not yet taken over from Guy Thys.

Marc Van der Linden once again scored for Belgium and Vitor Paneira scored for Portugal.

-The next match between the nations, as well as the next match on Belgian soil, was a Friendly on February 23, 2000 at Charleroi that ended in a (1-1) tie.

-The next match between the nations at Brussels and the next Portuguese away win, would be a UEFA European Championship Qualifier on June 2, 2007 at Brussels that Portugal won 2 to 1.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2266, September 12, 1989

(Rui Barros and Marc De Grijse, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-The previous match between the nations at the same venue, as well as Belgium’s previous win, was a UEFA European Championship Qualifier on October 17, 1979 that Belgium won (2-0).

Belgium players: Eric Gerets and Jan Ceulemans were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

Belgium’s Manager for this 1989 match, Walter Meeuws took part in that match as well.

-Portugal’s previous win over Belgium was a Friendly on February 4, 1987 at Braga that they won 1 to 0.

Belgium players: Gilbert Bodart, Eric Gerets, Georges Grun, Patrick Vervoort, Michel DeWolf, Stephane Demol, Vincenzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans and Michel Preud'Homme and Portugal player: Veloso were present that day (on the field and/or the substitutes bench).

                            

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1990

(Michel De Wolf and Paulo Futre, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-Portugal’s next win over Belgium would be a UEFA European Champiosnhip Qualifier on March 27, 2007 at Lisbon that they won 4 to 0.

-In addition, Belgium’s Eric Gerets,  Walter Meeuws and Jan Ceulemans appeared vs. Portugal in a UEFA European Championship Qualifier on October 11, 1978 at Lisbon that ended in a (1-1) tie.

Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 103, May 1990

(Rui Barros and Marc De Grijse, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-The other teams in this World Cup qualifying Group, in addition to Belgium and Portugal, were Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Belgium seemed set to qualify at the time of this match with both Portugal and Czechoslovakia vying for the second qualification spot in the Group.

-Walter Meeuws had just taken over as Belgium Manager.

On December 26, 1987, he had been declared as successor to Guy Thys after his retirement.

Guy Thys retired for the first time at the end of the 1988/89 season.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1990

(Belgium’s Stephane DeMol, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

Photo From: Record, A Ficha completa dos 461 Jogadores Internacionais 'AA'

(September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-Walter Meeuws’ first match in charge had been a friendly just weeks prior on August 23rd at Brugge vs. Denmark that Belgium won (3-0) with goals by Marc De Grijse and a double (inlcuding one penalty) by Jan Ceulemans.

Ceulemans broke Paul van Himst’s Belgian record of 81 International matches that day.

-The week prior to the match, Portugal had played a friendly vs. Romania at Setubal on August 31st that ended in a scoreless tie.

-This match was critical for Belgium as a win would just about guarantee a place in the following year’s World Cup in Italy.

There were many prominent Belgian politicians in the stands for the occasion.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2266, September 12, 1989

(Bruno Versavel and  Rui Barros, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-The foreign based players on the teams were Eric Gerets, Stephene Demol and Enzo Scifo for Belgium and Paulo Futre and Rui Barros for Portugal.

-In fact Stephen Demol played for Portugal’s FC Porto and was playing against some of his teammates such as Joao Pinto, Antonio Andre, Rui Aguas and Jaime Maghalaes.

-Demol had joked that his Portuguese teammates had told him to stay in Brussels in case Portugal lost.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1990

(Belgium’s Michel De Wolf, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-A rumor thought to be false at the time, was that the Portuguese Manager Juca was to be replaced in the near future by the Artur Jorge/Toni combination.

This was denied by the Portugal’s Communications representative.

-For Belgium, Enzo Scifo was no longer a starter and remained on the bench. He had joined French club Auxerre that season in a move that would help resurrect his career, but for the time being he was out of the team.

Belgium were also missing Mechelen veteran Leo Clijsters.

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1991

(Paulo Futre and Michel De Wolf, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-For Portugal, this was Xavier’s fourth cap only. It was remarkable given that he had earned his first cap in 1981 and earned another in 1982. He had earned his third only the week before on August 31st friendly vs. Romania.

This was also Paulo Futre’s first match for Portugal, since the fixture vs. Belgium in February.

-Portugal actually played well and were on par with Belgium until the first goal with Futre in excellent form.

After the first goal, Belgium took full control of match.

-In the 35th minute, Venancio tried to pass to Paneira in midfield, his pass was intercepted by Bruno Versavel who immediately sent Jan Ceulemans through to score.

-In the 56^th minute, Sobrinho was booked after pulling down Marc Emmers who seemed to be able to get past him.

-Minutes later, in the 59^th minute, a Belgian corner was headed out by the Portuguese defense. BrunoVersavel gave the ball to Michel De Wolf who passed it to the left side to Marc De Grijse who crossed for Marc Van der Linden to head in the second goal.

The Portuguese had tried to play the offside trap, but De Grijse had timed his run.

-Immediately after the second goal, Juca sent on striker Rui Aguas (replacing midfielder Vitor Paneira).

Replacing a midfielder with a striker left Portugal vulnerable, but they had no choice since they needed to get a result.

-In the 69^th minute, Eric Gerets sent a long cross from the defense into the path of Marc Van der Linden who layed it on the left side for Jan Ceulemans, who in turn crossed it back into the center for Van der Linden to tap in into an empty net (after Ceulemans’ cross had pulled Silvino out of position).

-With less than a quarter hour remaining, Meeuws sent on Luc Nilis to replace his fellow Anderlecht teammate and two-goal hero Marc Van Der Linden to close out the match.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2266, September 12, 1989

(Marc vanderlinden, Michel De Wolf, Jan Ceulemans and Bruno Vesravel celebrating, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-Afterwards a disappointed Paulo Futre told Portuguese Magazine ‘A Bola’ that ‘I am ashamed to return to Madrid and explain to my friends how we lost’.

-Belgium Manager Walter Meeuws told the press: ‘I counted on this result, we did not even have to score three goals’.

-Belgium finished off their qualification matches in the next month by earning ties vs. Switzerland (at Basel on October 11^th, 1989, 2-2 tie) and a disappointing home tie with Luxembourg (at Heysel, 1-1 tie) on October 25^th, 1989.

-Strangely, five out of Portugal’s eight qualifiers had been scheduled for this Fall of 1989.

Apart for this match vs. Belgium, the rest of qualifiers were as follows:

September 20, 1989 at Neuchatel, Switzerland 1-Portugal 2.

October 6, 1989 at Prague, Czechoslovakia 2-Portugal 1.

October 11, 1989 at Saarbrücken, Luxembourg 0-Portugal 3.

November 15, 1989 at Lisbon, Portugal 0-Czechoslovakia 0.

-Paulo Futre would be sent off in the October 6^th vs. Czechoslovakia. On October 10, 1989, FIFA suspended him for two matches.

-Sobrinho would get two more caps only, the match on October 6^th vs. Czechoslovakia would be his last.

-In the end, this loss vs. Belgium was too much to overcome and Czechoslovakia won the second qualifying spot in the Group.

-Despite initial denials, on January 4^th , 1990, Coaches Arthur Jorge of Porto and Toni, the Assistant Coach of Benfica, were appointed as Portugal’s National Team Managers.

-Enzo Scifo would continue to be sidelined by Meeuws. It appeared that he had jeopardized his National Team future when in January 1990, he left a National Team camp upon learning that he would not be playing.

Meeuws handling of the team would be questioned, such as announcing that he had already had eight out of the eleven starters decided. Many prospective players with a chance felt disappointed.

The National team’s displays also deteriorated in the coming months.

The Federation finally sacked Meeuws on March 1^st, 1990.

Guy Thys would be re-instated and remain in charge until Spring 1991.

Enzo Scifo would slowly regain his form and become a regular once more by the time of the World Cup.

-Belgium’s Marc De Grijse and Marc Van Der Linden had joined Anderlecht that summer as a part of double signing intent on regaining the League title.

-Belgium’s Eric Gerets and Portugal’s Paulo Futre were past and future AC Milan players.

-Rui Aguas was one of the rare players who lined up for both Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto.

He had joined Porto in 1988 from Benfica. He would rejoin Benfica in 1990.

His father Jose Aguas earned his last cap in a friedly vs. Belgium at Lisbon on May 17, 1962 (1-2 Belgium win).

-Paulo Futre would also line up for both Porto and Benfica (in 1993) and actually lined up for the big three (Sporting, Porto and Benfica).

-Eric Gerets, Michel Preud’homme and Belgian Manager Water Meeuws were involved in the Standard Liege/Waterschei scandal in 1984 that had led to their suspensions.

- Cesar Brito had just returned to Benfica that season after a two season loan to Portimonense.

-Paulo Futre, Joao Pinto, Antonio Andre, Jaime Maghalaes won the Champions Cup with Porto in 1987.

Eric Gerets won the same trophy with PSV Eindhoven in 1988.

In fact, Joao Pinto and Gerets captained the winning sides.

-Eric Gerets won the Champions Cup trophy vs. Benfica. Silvino, Verloso and Aguas played for Benfica that day.

-Benfica also reached the Champions Cup Final at the end of that season and lost once again (this time vs. AC Milan at Vienna (0-1) on May 23, 1990).

-Belgium goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme would join Benfica in 1994.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2282, January 2, 1990

(Belgium goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme celebrating, September 6, 1989, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 3-Portugal 0)

-Rui Barros won the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia with Juventus at the end of that season.

He would join France’s AS Monaco at the end of the season.

-Belgium’s Georges Grun joined Italy’s Parma the following season.

-Michel Preud’homme, Marc Emmers and Bruno Versavel had been Belgian Champions with Mechelen, the previous season.

Jan Ceulemans and Franky van der Elst would be triumphant at the end of that season with Club Brugge.

-Georges Grun, Marc De Grijse, Marc Van Der Linden and Luc Nilis reached the Cup Winners Cup Final that season with Anderlecht but lost vs. Sampdoria (0-2).

-Porto’s Demol, Andre, Joao Pinto, Aguas and Maghalaes won the Portuguese Championship at the end of that season.

Benfica’s Silvino, Veloso and Paneira had won it the previous season.

Match Reports:

100 Melhores do Futebol Portugues, Volume II, Author Rui Dias, 2002 / Almanaque Seleccao-Edicao do Campeonato Europeu de 2004 / France Football, Issue 2266, September 12, 1989 / Le Dictionnaire des Diables Rouges / Wordl Soccer, October 1989

Match Video / Highlights: