Portuguese Football in English
It was a turbulent week for Portuguese forward Rafael Leão in Italy with AC Milan, beginning with the wrath of his own supporters and ending with a devastating cameo on Saturday.
Leão was whistled by sections of the Milan fanbase upon being substituted against Genoa last weekend, after which he headed straight to the dressing room. This matchday was a happier story, with the Seleção man providing a goal and an assist as the Rossoneri hammered Cagliari 5-1 at San Siro.
Portuguese coach Ricardo Sá Pinto has become national champion for the first time as a manager after guiding APOEL FC to the title in Cyprus.
APOEL ended a five-year wait to regain their crown, in what was a typically turbulent year for ex-Portugal international Sá Pinto, who was banned for four months during the campaign.
Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus lifted the Saudi Arabian championship on Saturday evening, with his Al Hilal side finally clinching the trophy amid a phenomenal season in the Pro League.
Al Hilal are undefeated and have dropped just four points all season, in what has been a world-record breaking campaign. With three matches remaining, Jesus’ men moved 12 points clear of Luis Castro and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr to add his name to a growing list of Luso winners of the Saudi title.
José Mourinho says his dislike for taking breaks from football leads him to take more difficult jobs, while other managers bide their time waiting for the best possible chance of success.
Mourinho last managed at AS Roma, where he won the Europa Conference League and reached back-to-back European finals. The Portuguese left the Italian capital in January, but is keen to return to management as soon as possible.
José Mourinho has admitted he regrets turning down the chance to coach the Portugal national side, insisting that his connection with Roma was the reason he refused the offer.
Mourinho says he has twice been approached to take over the Seleção, with the most recent coming before Roberto Martínez was appointed last January. Just a year later Mourinho was fired by Roma, leading him to feel he made the wrong decision to stay at the Stadio Olimpico.
