After beating Moreirense, 6-1, on matchday 33 of Liga NOS, FC Porto ended season 2019/20 at Estádio do Dragão with the right foot. The blue and white players praised the performance of the team, especially in the second-half, when they scored five of six goals, and talked of the feeling of raising the much wanted trophy. After the celebration, there are two more matches in the season to win and one of them may mean another title.

Otávio
“It was a difficult first-half, with Moreirense creating many difficulties with their passing game. We were more aggressive in the second-half, and, with our quality, the goals came naturally. We weren’t planning on slowing down just because we became the champions, but I think that we played a good match, especially in the second-half, and we got a good victory. It’s always good to be champion. Now we just have to enjoy this moment and raise the cup we want.”

Luis Díaz
“It was a strong match from the team, as we knew we had a tough opponent ahead. We are already champions, but we wanted to play a good match and win. We did our job, especially in the second-half. We won and that’s what matters the most, as we wanted to keep boosting our confidence. We want to win every match until the end of the season. I am very happy with my first season at FC Porto. This is a dream come true. I’m calm and happy to be in this club. Now we need to celebrate and raise the cup, but then we focus on the next match.”

Diogo Leite
“Of course this was a different celebration, as there were no fans on the stands, but the happiness was the same. Becoming national champion makes me tremendously happy and tonight we showed, once again, what it means to be champion. We had already won the championship before this match, but we went in serious and played a great match, as the scoreboard shows. We know FC Porto has great youngsters and that was shown here. We are from the youth teams and we are here, showing our quality. I’m sure the youngsters will keep showing up, more and more, in the next years. My first objective was to reach the main squad. I did my debut, I scored my first goal, and now this is the icing on the cake.”

Diogo Costa
“No matter how many cups I won in the youth squads, or everything I did in my training, this is different. For me, for everyone, this is an extra motivation for the next season. Each one of us is more motivated to do more for the team. It is unforgettable, I will always remember this. I think this is the most special title. The first is always the first, something you don’t forget. It’s a great motivation to continue working for the next season, individually and as a team. I feel prepared [for the final of the Portuguese Cup]. Despite all the time that I was out of competition, I was always focused during training, to perfect what I felt I need to work on. Not just technically, but also psychologically, which is the most important. So I feel ready, yes. I wanted to dedicate this title to my entire family, to my girlfriend as well, as she is an extra strength that always helps me out, and, just like my family, is always by my side. This is for them and for all the fans.”

Fábio Silva
“This was a great anniversary present. I am thrilled, and I think it was a great accomplishment, both individually and for the team. Now we have to enjoy it. This celebration was better than the first, as we got our medals and raised the cup. The dream of becoming champion comes from young age, as I had that ambition even in the youth teams, that I would write my name in the history of the club. I’m sure this is the first of many titles I will win. You always have some doubts, but then there’s that hope, because the group always worked hard and always expected to get good things this year, and there’s also the Portuguese Cup to win. Having the experience of playing with my teammates, of learning from them every day, learning for my future... it’s very important and I am very happy. I told Soares that, no matter who played, would help the team. Tiquinho went in, and, thanks to his personality, helped the team, like always. I am happy for him, I care deeply for him.”

Danilo
“It’s an unforgettable moment. I think that not even in my best dreams I expected this to happen, but, fortunately, it did. It was a difficult season, and the entire group should be praised, as everyone contributed to the title; fortunately, we did it, so congratulations to us all. The most difficult moment was when we were seven points behind. Everyone started doubting it was possible, but the group remained patient. There were a lot of points to win, we never stopped believing, and I think that was an important moment for us. These celebrations are the reward for a hard season and I think we should celebrate, even if we don’t have any audience. The Cup is another match we want to win, as it’s against our rival and it is a final, so we really want it. Unfortunately, our families can’t be here. I think they deserved it, for the contribution and support they give us, during the season. It’s not easy to be family of a player, they suffer deeply and their role is vital. Unfortunately, they are not here, but we will join them after all this.”

Soares
“I think we were a little sloppy in the first-half, but the coach was vocal about it during the break, and our mind set changed, along with the pace, and we ended up scoring many goals. This is a fair victory, and we did our job. We had already secured the title, and we wanted these three points. Now we celebrate a little. For the moment we are living, we had to change our spirit a little, so we left the title in the locker room, and got a great result at home, so congratulations to the team. I needed these goals, I’m happy to go in and help my team. We missed last year, but now we are where we deserve to be.”

João Mário
“It’s amazing, I have no words, I can’t explain it. Three months ago, I never thought I would be here, becoming national champion for the main squad of FC Porto, and that’s truly amazing. I am living a dream and I can only say thank to the structure of FC Porto and the coach for the opportunity they gave me. I am really, really happy. I wasn’t expecting to receive the news and start training, now during the pandemic, with the main squad. I was so happy, ecstatic. I am really grateful and happy to be here and become national champion. I’ve played with Fábio Vieira since I was nine or ten here at FC Porto. We have been having a great run, since our time at the Under10 until now, with the main squad, the two of us and other, like Vítor Ferreira, with whom I’ve been playing for a long time as well. This is a feeling of great happiness and gratitude.”

Pepe
“Every title won here is special. It is a privilege to be here at this club, a great joy, with these players, these coaches... it feels like the first title you win. It shows our bonds, this fantastic group spirit that FC Porto always had, this famous soul, which is special. My dream was to go to the City Hall, to Aliados. That’s not possible for now, but I still wake up thinking of that. You never know what will happen tomorrow. I am pleased to win for my club, which I love, and to represent the North of the country.”