Pinto da Costa said that Otavio asked him to move to Al-Nasr

The president of FC Porto, Pinto da Costa, explained this Friday the process that led to Otavio’s departure to the Arab Al-Nasr, noting that he gave in to the wishes of the footballer, given the higher salary conditions that were offered to him.

“We made an addition about Otavio’s rights to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s club. [Al Nassr], we all know that the player could have left for 40 million, but not because I didn’t allow him. Then there was an offer of 60 million, which I did not accept because I didn’t want to, but on the day when the coach [Sérgio Conceição] and he wasn’t – he had surgery – Otavio came to me at the training center, crying, saying he couldn’t hurt him,” he told the Thinking Football Summit, where he was accompanied by several figures from the Porto universe, including including Sergio Conceição.

According to the director, it was the club’s financial arguments that convinced the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Castro to seek the transfer of the 28-year-old midfielder, who has been linked with the “dragons” since 2014.

“He said this was the opportunity of a lifetime, at 28, and that he would earn about 45 million in three years, tax free. I thought so, given what he said and what I promised him when he signed the contract. , that I will not “cut off his legs”, I decided that I will release him,” he concluded.

Given the suspicions that, according to Pinto da Costa, were “planted” by “certain media” regarding the completion of the transaction and the percentage of the pass that would be at the disposal of the Brazilian bank BMG, the president explained the way in which the transfer took place.

“Obviously we had partners, namely a Brazilian bank with a large percentage of the pass, and I spoke to the president and said that I did not accept it. That they did nothing to renew and were going to get a lot of money, no. And they were going to lose everything. It was good for all parties, we tried to get as much as possible, we could not keep the player in such a psychological state and the bank, faced with with a choice between receiving zero or 12.5 million, they chose. I don’t know if there are already judicial police in Brazil, but if so, let them return,” the leader says ironically.

Regarding the state of Portuguese football and when asked about statements such as those made by Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently compared Portuguese football to a circus act, Pinto da Costa defended all the various agents who directly intervene in football, from players, coaches and managers. , pointing the blame at the media.

“Portuguese football has the best managers, look at the example of the League under the chairmanship of Pedro Proença and the Fernando Gomes federation, the best coaches, the best players. From an organizational point of view, people in demand abroad such as Antero Henrique and now Domingo Soares. de Oliveira, there is everything to be good here. […] When I talk directly to the players, they all think I’m right. What do we have that others don’t? Social communication hurts those it hurts. Because we see TVs playing and talking about football for hours,” he accused.

Regarding the loss of competitiveness in the European panorama at club level, which has already led Portugal to lose a place in the Champions League next season, he blames this on the punctual system of UEFA and said that the performances in the Europa Conference League of Arroca and Vitória de Guimarães have damaged the country.

“The clubs that qualify for the Champions League usually have good results and points to keep. This new “confidential” league, or whatever it’s called, where Arouca was… Conference League, it’s just ridiculous that league. Only one or two people know that this name is worth as much as winning the Champions League final, it’s unthinkable. It was UEFA who made the decision, not in favor of Portugal. The points that Porto, Benfica or Braga get in the Champions League, they should be shared with Vitória do Guimarães and Arroca, who did not come there to do anything,” he said.

Pinto da Costa also spoke about former footballer Carlos Xavier’s controversial comments regarding striker Taremi, leaving behind the criticism.

“There was a former player who on the sports channel called our Taremi a “Muslim,” “a Muslim who couldn’t swim and now only knows how to dive.” How can a channel allow this to happen? I don’t know if SOS Racismo or other organizations or the ERC will respond, I don’t know. If he kissed a woman, it would be a scandal, but the rest is worth it,” he countered.