"I feel a lot of good energy and a great hunger to win titles"

MÍSTICA A DOIS

In a conversation with Ljubomir Fejsa, the former midfielder who won five league titles for Benfica, Florentino Luís –a center-midfielder who made 150 appearances for Benfica's first team on December 15 - highlighted the “great energy and hunger to win titles” within the Benfica squad.

LJUBOMIR FEJSA: Congratulations on your 150 games. What does this milestone mean to you, who grew up at Benfica?

FLORENTINO LUÍS: First, thank you very much. It means a lot because, at first, I never thought about it. My dream was just to make the first team, and I never thought I'd be able to play 150 games. But it's a great honor for me to know that I've been at this level for some time. And also knowing that I'm in a position where you also played. When I was younger, when I was in training, you were a reference point for me, because I saw you playing, and I identified with you a lot. Today I'm very proud to be in that position too.

LF: Thank you.

FL: You're welcome.

LF: LDo you remember your first match? How did you feel that day when you stepped out onto the pitch?

FL: Ah, it was a very special game [SLB-Nacional, 10-0, 10/02/2019], because... I think it was the second game in which I was called up. I went to the bench, and I was feeling it, because the game was almost won. When I saw that the result was very positive [6-0 at the time of the substitution], I started...

LF: It was easier...

FL: It was easier too... I started preparing myself, saying: “I think I'm going to go in.” I went in, and then there was also the fact that when I got on the pitch and saw a lot of people - I wasn't used to playing with all those people. I went in, and on the first throw André Almeida passed to me and I passed to him again, and the first touch was good. I felt confident straight away and managed to have a good game.

LF: Yes, I can say the same. In my first game, when I came on, I came on [at around] 25 minutes. In the first game, I won the ball, and then I started... to feel...

FL: All right.

LF: I think it was already 3-0 to us, yes. I got in and then... everything started to move.

FL: It's always different when... it's different whether you're winning or losing.

LF: We played together that season, we were champions together. I remember well when you appeared in the first team. Are you still the same player and person today, or have you changed a lot since 2019?

FL: I think... at that time, when I arrived in the first team, the way of playing was also a little different. Our team has a lot of quality, but today I'm a bit more mature. I feel I'm evolving a bit more on the offensive side too, and continuing to be a more balanced player to give more to the team, too.

LF: Of course, knowing how to balance... [laughs]

FL: [laughs]

LF: Anyone who has played for Benfica and other clubs values Benfica even more, as it is a unique club. Did your experiences abroad help you realize that this was where you had to come back to achieve happiness on the pitch?

FL: Yes, without a doubt, because when I went abroad, during the two loans I had, I valued Benfica even more than I already did, because the fans, the support we get not only when we play at home, but also when we play away from home... the conditions we're given here at Benfica Campus, on a daily basis. These are things that not all clubs provide, and knowing that Benfica gives us these conditions is very gratifying, especially as it's a place where I grew up. Being at home, knowing that it's a place I've grown up in since I was a kid, is very valuable. And also knowing that Benfica is a big, European club that plays in the Champions League, which not all teams have that privilege.

LF: When I arrived at Benfica you were just starting out, you were 14 or 15... did you ever think we'd play together?

FL: No, no... actually, I never thought about it. Back then, when I... we went as ball boys, you know? Just going there made me very happy. And sometimes, when it was half-time, we could take a few steps by the pitch - not on the pitch, but by the pitch. Then we'd be very happy and say: “Damn, look at this grass, look at this ball...” And we dreamed a lot. At the time, the U-15 players who were with me, nowadays, the ones who have gone professional are few, and we knew it was very difficult, but thank God I managed to get here.

LF: Bruno Lage was the one who launched you into the first team. And now you've met him again. Is he a special coach for you?

FL: Yes, because he's the one who gave me the chance to make the first team, and being with him again is special because I already know him well, I already know the ideas he has. He's a very demanding coach, but I think that when coaches are demanding, they get the best out of each player. And I think that's what's been happening, that we've had good results, and I think the way forward is to keep going.

LF: I'm very familiar with the work we do on the pitch. We're team players, we recover, balance and cover. I loved my role, but what about you?

FL: I like it a lot, too. Even though it's something that people often don't appreciate, because we're there and it doesn't seem like we're there. At the end of the game, people give more importance to who scores the goals, who makes the assists, but I think it's a fundamental role because it's both defensive and offensive. We have to know how to defend well, and we also have to know how to link up well from defense to attack. I think it's a fundamental role, and we have a lot of time on the ball.

LF: When you go out on the pitch, what's your biggest worry? What's the task where you say “I can't fail here”?


FL: Above all I think it's defensive, because the name, so to speak, is defensive midfielder. I think the main thing has to be defensive, and then the offensive comes naturally. And I always try to balance the team. When the team is further forward, watch the opposition players who are left, so there's no transition to our goal. Offensively, I'm also well positioned so that I can be a player who can take the ball out of pressure. And I think that constantly thinking about what I can help, helps the team to always be well-balanced.

LF: Do you remember anyone who gave you a piece of advice that you never forgot?

FL: I think I've been given a lot of advice, but one that I've really got in my head is to enjoy football, enjoy the moment, because sometimes we grow up and enjoy football, but when we get to professional football, a lot of pressure is on us, a lot of things are on us, and we forget the most important thing, which is to enjoy it, because that's what we've been doing since we were children, which was playing football. Even more so now that it's a profession, I can make a living from it, and I think the most important thing is to enjoy every moment we have.

FL: Now I have a question for you. You've been a champion everywhere you've played, and you've been a champion five times for Benfica. Were you the secret?

LF:The secret isn't me, the secret is the whole team. It's when we're together, we all want to win together, that's the big secret.

FL: And you stopped playing football recently, do you miss it much?

LF: I miss it so much... I think I waited a year. I waited a year before telling everyone: “I'm going to stop now.” That's why I still miss it so much that I train every day at home just to...

FL: To be active.

LF: To do something, yes. That's why it's difficult, it's difficult for me.

LF: Which player or players have fascinated you the most so far?

FL: Many, many players I enjoyed playing with. Maybe, in terms of quality: Jonas. I think Jonas, Di María... I think they're the players with a lot of quality that I've had the pleasure of playing with today. But as I said earlier, you were my reference point. I liked watching you play because I really identified with you and I really liked the way you played.

LF: Too bad we didn't play a bit longer.

FL: É. We'll have to talk to the manager to see if he's still fit for the next game.

LF: You're 25. You're still... young. What are your goals for the future?

FL: Oh, I'd like to win many, many titles for Benfica. To be Benfica champions, national champions. Win lots of cups too.

LF: And for this season, tell me about the squad. Do the guys feel that this season is going to end very well for Benfica?

FL: I think the group is very balanced, it's a mix of slightly more experienced players and new players. And I feel a lot of good energy and a lot of desire, a lot of hunger to win titles. And I think that's good because we also feel the fans on our side and I think we can do some nice things this year, but our main goal is to become national champions.

LF: Mate, it was a pleasure talking to you. You're a good player for me. I like watching you. I've also spoken to my son. Even at the last game, I said to my son: “Look, this one was very young when he started training with me. Now he's growing a lot, he's playing well.” So it's a pleasure. Best of luck for the rest of the season.

FL: Thank you very much. I can still play with your son, can't I??

FL: Thank you for our conversation, it was a pleasure.

LF: Good luck.