Hundreds of people say goodbye to Fernando Gomes in the pouring rain

This Sunday, hundreds of people said goodbye to former Portuguese international Fernando Gomes, winner of two Golden Boots and the top scorer in the history of the champions Porto, who died on Saturday at the age of 66.

“I don’t know if it’s fair to suggest taking off jersey number nine. [do clube]🇧🇷 Given such a symbolic number, it seems almost surreal to shoot something with such a strong character for the strikers and even for us. Of course, putting the initials “FG” on every ninth Porto number would be a historical and eternal honor. Let’s hope that some partner will launch [essa ideia] in the General Assembly,” said André Villas-Boas, former Dragoen coach, speaking to reporters at the Church of Santo António das Antas in Porto.

The wake for Fernando Gomes began at the end of Saturday and continued this Sunday in front of family, friends, fans and personalities of FC Porto, as well as figures associated with rival clubs, Portuguese football organizations and other sectors of society.

“He was a man who managed to create unanimity. I would say that the football tribe has weakened and lost one of its great references. I had a very personal relationship with him. In fact, I came straight from Qatar. [onde ia assistir ao jogo entre Portugal e Uruguai, na segunda-feira, do Grupo H do Mundial2022] be here. It couldn’t be otherwise,” said Pedro Proenza, president of the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP).

Covered with the flag of FC Porto, the urn was moved from the funerary chapel to the church just before 3 p.m., followed by a mass in memory of the “bibot”, who turned 66 on Tuesday and lived with him three years ago. prolonged illness.

“Without him, I would not be here, because we made a team from another world. Take off jersey number nine? I agree with everything, including tomorrow’s Portugal game. [segunda-feira] with black armbands, because we are talking about one of the greats. After that, Porto meant everything to him, but I never heard him call for violence. He always respected his opponents and was a true gentleman,” echoed former player Paulo Futre, who backed Fernando Gomes in Porto’s attack (1984-1987) and the national team.

The pouring rain intensified as the funeral procession left the Church of Santo António das Antas to the cheering of hundreds of people who accompanied the moving farewell, while FC Porto fans waved flags.

“Not being a member of my club, I was a deep fan as a child. His sense of timing and positioning were traits that I greatly appreciated. [no relvado]🇧🇷 After that, he had an attitude of great humility and cordiality. These examples are very important and demonstrate that the language of sport can be the language of development, culture, harmony and exemplary for society. Fernando Gomes interpreted this way of being healthy,” recalled Interior Minister José Luis Carneiro.

While the national team was observing a moment of silence before another training session in Qatar, a hearse drove down the Alameda das Antas towards the Dragão stadium, surrounded by fans who were chanting the name “bibot” and the FC Porto anthem. .

On their way to the hall’s main door, the procession uncovered a portrait of the then-captain holding the Intercontinental Cup raised in 1987 in the snow of Tokyo with the expression “Eterna Saudade”, ending this tour with an emotional stop at the club’s museum.

The rain stopped on the rest of the route, which also had a brief tribute next to the old Constitution field and arrived before 17:00 at Tanatorio da Lapa, where the body of a member of the “blue and white” directorate will be cremated to form in a ceremony reserved for the family. which included the President of Porto, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa.

Fernando Gomes established himself as the top scorer in Porto’s history with 355 goals in 452 games, winning the European Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the European Super Cup, as well as three Portuguese Cups, three Candido de Oliveira Cups. and five championships, which brought two “Golden Boots” (1982/83 and 1984/85).

After making 47 caps and scoring 13 goals for Portugal, which he represented at Euro 1984 and the 1986 World Cup, the popular “bibota” interspersed his two appearances with Antas Tour for the Spanish team Sporting de Gijón (1980-1982 ). and said goodbye to the pitches at Sporting CP (1989–1991), having assumed managerial positions at the club since 2010.