Benfica and Sporting together at the IPO de Lisboa

SOLIDARITY DERBY

On Friday, December 27, the project Esta Bata Tem Poderes (This Coat Has Powers) was at the Pediatrics department of the IPO - Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, in Lisbon, where Tomás Araújo, from SL Benfica, and Eduardo Quaresma, from Sporting CP, provided unforgettable moments for the children. The defenders, both 22, distributed sympathy and hospital gowns made from the official jerseys of their professional clubs.

Tomás Araújo and Eduardo Quaresma surprised the children with a visit that brought the joy of football to the hospital. The young players from Benfica and Sporting brightened up the afternoon for the youngsters with good cheer, words of encouragement and memories that gave the wards a new color.

Esta Bata Tem Poderes is an initiative of the Fundação do Futebol - Liga Portugal with the collaboration of the 34 professional football teams. They all donate official jerseys, which are adapted to serve as hospital coats in the pediatric services, where they are distributed by athletes and coaches from the local teams.

This time, Benfica and Sporting, through their respective Foundations - Benfica Foundation and Sporting Foundation - joined forces in an exhibition to remind us that rivalry only exists on the pitch. At the IPO in Lisbon, and on derby week in Alvalade, Tomás Araújo and Eduardo Quaresma received inspiration from these little heroes faced with big challenges.

"It's very special to be here, I'm very happy. The children who are here are going through a difficult time, but when they see us they immediately have a huge smile on their faces, and it's very good and very special to be able to provide these moments in their lives," highlighted Tomás Araújo, who also emphasized the spirit of fair play alluding to this initiative.

"I've known Eduardo Quaresma since I was 14, and I've also been through a lot with him, so to be able to experience this moment, especially before a derby, is incredible, and it was a spectacular day," said the Reds' central defender.

Eduardo Quaresma was also grateful for the experience and highlighted the message of solidarity given before a derby: "This experience was very important for us to realize that football isn't the most important thing there is. There are many people going through other kinds of difficulties, and it was great to have Sporting and Benfica take part in this initiative, where the most important thing was to be able to see children smiling at the sight of players from their favorite clubs."

"This kind of experience makes you realize that rivalries really only exist on the pitch. I've known Tomás for a long time, and we're rivals when we play against each other, but off the pitch we're friends and we talk. That's why I think it's very important for the League and the Foundation to have this initiative of bringing rival clubs together, so that people can see it from another perspective," concluded the central defender.