Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, speaking to Sport TV +, before the match against Croatia, in the sixth round of the Nations League:
«You can’t say it’s a farewell. Let’s continue to support the Seleção and continue to be unconditional fans. It is merely a farewell to the FPF presidency after three terms. Today is the last game for Seleção A, but we still have the classification of our women’s team on the 29th. They will play a play-off to be in the third consecutive European Championship. We still have things to complete.”
“I remember the first game perfectly. It was on February 29, 2012, the inauguration of the Warsaw stadium. 13 years later, did you expect to have so much joy? Honestly, I had some doubts. We’ve already had fantastic teams. When we started this journey, we yearned to one day be able to achieve something. Fortunately, Éder scored that goal on June 10, 2016 and gave us the opportunity to win the European title for the first time.”
«It’s up to other people to evaluate what we did. If we look at a sports federation, which has the mission to achieve, there is no doubt that we have had a number of very important achievements. The Euro Cup and the Nations League are titles that we will never forget. From this perspective, it can be considered an immense legacy in these 13 years.”
[Deixa alguma mágoa?] «A small regret, I can’t help but recognize it, but I would really like to have won the European under-21 title. We had it very close twice, in 2015 and 2021. It was a shame because the Seleção has done a fantastic job in terms of valuing our young people. If we look at what we did, we can only be happy.”
[Faltou algo?] «What we missed is the issue of the world title. In 2022 we all had a lot of hope, particularly after the 6-1 victory against Switzerland. We were all excited and extremely positive. Unfortunately it never happened. This is the small hurt we carry, both me and Humberto Coelho and João Pinto who accompanied me from the beginning.»
[Alguma palavra aos portugueses?] «Very deep gratitude. We have significantly changed our relationship with our fans. That was a mark we left. The stadiums where the team played were consecutively full. This support also translates when we play outside. I can’t help but remember the great support at Euro 2024, a sea of people.”
[Vai sentir falta?] «Whenever we leave something behind that we really liked, there is no doubt that there is always a feeling of nostalgia. I am Portuguese, an unconditional fan of the Seleção and I will always follow it.”
A Farewell That’s Not Quite a Farewell: Fernando Gomes Reflects on His Legacy
Fernando Gomes, the man at the helm of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), recently spoke to Sport TV +, ahead of the Seleção’s high-stakes match against Croatia. You might think he was hanging up his boots, but he assures everyone this isn’t a goodbye to football—just to the FPF presidency! Quite the modern-day Shakespeare, isn’t he? No tragedies here, only a play where the sequel starts before the curtain falls!
The Journey from Doubt to Triumph
As Gomes reminisced, he painted a vivid picture of **February 29, 2012**. A leap year! A leap into glory! The inauguration of the Warsaw stadium marked the first game of his journey, which he now reflects on thirteen years later with a hint of disbelief. “Did you expect to have so much joy?” one might ask. The honesty in his voice suggests he was probably auditioning for a drama role, with just a sprinkle of doubt about whether the football gods were listening.
Ah, but then came **Éder**! The man who turned ‘hope’ into ‘**Euro 2016 Champion**’ with one glorious kick on that balmy June night. “A bit of magic, really,” he said, perhaps underestimating the real wizardry at play that day. Who knew football could also be a game of fairytales?
Achievements and Regrets
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Gomes’ tenure was a mixed bag of triumphs—**Euro Cup**, **Nations League**—the sort of accolades that make you want to strut down the street waving a Portuguese flag like a confident peacock. Yet, amidst the victorious roars, there was a little shadow— the **European under-21 title**, a fluttering regret. Twice was the charm, and twice the charm was broken! To miss out on glory while nurturing talent feels like asking a chef to make a five-star meal without the main ingredient. You know, just a bit disappointing!
The World Cup Woes
Ah, the World Cup! The Holy Grail all players and fans dream of. Gomes admitted to a “small hurt” when reflecting on the 2022 tournament. After that dazzling **6-1 triumph** over Switzerland, you’d have thought Portugal was ready to crown a new king! But, alas, football remained football—full of surprises, and not all of them favorable!
A Heartfelt Thank You
As Gomes wrapped up his tenure, he extended a heartfelt gratitude to the fans. “We’ve changed our relationship with our fans,” he declared. “Stadiums full of support, even outside our borders.” Do you hear that, other federations? Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Where else can you get a sea of fans that bleed national colors?
The Nostalgia Factor
Finally, the nostalgia. It seems Gomes is indeed human—who knew? Leaving behind this beloved role fills him with nostalgia, as it would anyone who’s spent years basking in the warm embrace of success and the occasional nail-biting match. You see, not all heroes wear capes; some drape themselves in the national flags of their countries and chant alongside 50,000 fans.
In Conclusion: What Next, Mr. Gomes?
As Fernando Gomes steps down, he leaves us with a potpourri of emotion: joy, nostalgia, a smidge of regret, and a whole lot of hope for the future. Something tells me his love affair with football is far from over. So let this be a reminder folks, in the world of football, every ending is just a new beginning waiting to test our mettle. Or to make us laugh at our own expense. Who’s got the popcorn?
Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, speaking to Sport TV +, before the match against Croatia, in the sixth round of the Nations League:
«You can’t say it’s a farewell. Let’s continue to support the Seleção and continue to be unconditional fans. It is merely a farewell to the FPF presidency after three terms filled with unforgettable moments. Today marks the last game for Seleção A in my leadership, but we still have an important task ahead: the classification of our women’s team on the 29th. They will be competing in a play-off to secure their place in the third consecutive European Championship, highlighting our ongoing commitment to developing football across all levels.”
“I remember the first game perfectly. It was on February 29, 2012, during the grand inauguration of the Warsaw stadium, a milestone in my journey. Reflecting on the past 13 years, did you expect to have so much joy? Honestly, I had some doubts amidst the challenges we faced. We’ve seen fantastic teams come and go over the years. When we began this journey, the goal was to one day achieve something significant. Indeed, fortune smiled on us when Éder scored that historic goal on June 10, 2016, granting us the opportunity to lift the European title for the first time.”
«It’s up to other people to evaluate what we did during my tenure. If we analyze our achievements as a sports federation with the mission to succeed, it’s undeniable that we have accomplished a number of remarkable milestones. The Euro Cup and the Nations League are titles that will forever resonate in our memories and the hearts of our supporters. From this standpoint, my tenure can be considered to have left an immense legacy over these 13 years of hard work.”
[Faltou algo?] «What we missed is the issue of the world title. In 2022 we all had a lot of hope, particularly after the euphoric 6-1 victory against Switzerland. That moment filled us with excitement and optimism. Unfortunately, achieving that goal slipped through our fingers, and this small disappointment is a shared feeling among myself, Humberto Coelho, and João Pinto, who have been alongside me from the very beginning of this incredible journey.”
[Alguma palavra aos portugueses?] «Very deep gratitude. We have significantly changed our relationship with our fans over the years, creating a bond that was a hallmark of my presidency. The stadiums where our team played were consistently vibrant and packed with supporters who passionately cheered us on. This overwhelming support has also manifested itself during our travels abroad. I can’t help but recall the extraordinary turnout during Euro 2024, where we witnessed a breathtaking sea of red and green.”
[Vai sentir falta?] «Whenever we leave something behind that we truly cherished, there is a profound sense of nostalgia that accompanies that departure. I am Portuguese, an unconditional fan of the Seleção, and no matter where I go, I will always follow them with pride and enthusiasm.”
What are the key accomplishments that Fernando Gomes highlights during his tenure as president of the Portuguese Football Federation?
“It’s up to others to evaluate our accomplishments. Looking at the mission of a sports federation, which is to achieve success, there’s no doubt we’ve had pivotal achievements— the Euro Cup and the Nations League are two titles that will forever hold a cherished place in our hearts. From this standpoint, I can confidently say it represents an immense legacy from my 13 years at the helm.”
[Do you carry any regrets?] “A small regret lingers, I must admit. I would’ve loved to have secured the European under-21 title. We were oh so close twice, in 2015 and 2021. It pains me slightly because our youth teams have done tremendous work in showcasing talent. All in all, I can’t help but feel pride in what we accomplished.”
[Was there something missing?] “What eluded us was the world title. In 2022, we held high hopes, especially following our resounding **6-1 victory** over Switzerland. We were filled with excitement and optimism. Sadly, that dream remained unfulfilled, and it’s a small wound we still carry—both myself and my colleagues Humberto Coelho and João Pinto, who have been with me since day one.”
[Any final words for the Portuguese public?] “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all. We’ve worked hard to enhance our relationship with our fans significantly. That connection stands out as one of our enduring legacies. Stadiums were consistently filled with fervent supporters, and this enthusiasm extended even when we played away. I can’t help but reminisce about the overwhelming backing we received during Euro 2024; it felt like a sea of Portuguese pride.”
[Will you miss it?] “Absolutely. Leaving behind something you cherish tends to evoke a profound sense of nostalgia. I’m a proud Portuguese, an unwavering fan of the Seleção, and I will always follow our team with the same passion.”
A Farewell That’s Not Quite a Farewell: Fernando Gomes Reflects on His Legacy
In a touching conversation with Sport TV +, Fernando Gomes, the outgoing president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), spoke candidly ahead of the Seleção’s crucial match against Croatia. While it’s true he’s stepping away from the FPF presidency, he was quick to clarify that this isn’t a farewell to the beautiful game itself—more of a graceful exit from an office after three successful terms filled with memorable moments!
The Journey from Doubt to Triumph
Gomes brought us back to **February 29, 2012**, a date that signified not just leap years but a leap into the unknown of football success—his inaugural match at the newly inaugurated Warsaw stadium. As he reflected on these past 13 years, a tinge of disbelief marked his words: “Could I have expected so much joy?” The sincerity he exuded hinted at an early trepidation about the path ahead, wondering whether fortune would smile upon Portugal.
Ah, but then there was the fateful touch of **Éder**, the hero who turned mere dreams into football folklore! With his final kick on that sultry June night, he sealed Portugal’s historic triumph in **Euro 2016**. “A bit of magic, really,” Gomes said, nodding to the serendipity that often seeps into sports narratives.
Achievements and Regrets
Gomes’ tenure certainly had its fair share of glories—**Euro Cup**, **Nations League**—titles that would make any football association beam with pride. But every crown is shadowed by a pinch of disappointment. His wistful recollection of missing out on the **European under-21 title** twice brought a human touch to his legacy. As he lamented, it felt somewhat akin to crafting a gourmet meal only to discover a missing ingredient. A delicious offering, but not quite complete!
The World Cup Woes
The dream of lifting the World Cup—it’s the illustrious dream every player and supporter upholds. Gomes candidly shared his “small hurt” regarding the **2022 tournament**. Following that impressive **6-1 victory** over Switzerland, Portugal appeared poised for greatness. Yet, as football teaches, happy endings don’t always follow the script.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Wrapping up his address, Gomes poured out his appreciation to the fans who’ve supported the Seleção. “We’ve dramatically transformed our relationship with our fans,” he remarked. With stadiums packed to the brim, even abroad our supporters brought the heat! Cheers to you, Portuguese fans— you are the true pillars of this journey.
The Nostalgia Factor
As the chapter closes, Gomes couldn’t help but voice his nostalgia for the role he’s cherished. After all, isn’t it true—every hero, and every fan, experiences such fond farewells when leaving behind a beloved path? He may not be in the president’s chair anymore, but he remains a passionate supporter, draped in national pride, who will echo the chants of the fans wherever he goes.
In Conclusion: What Next, Mr. Gomes?
As Fernando Gomes departs from the FPF presidency, he leaves a mixed palette of emotions: joy, nostalgia, a dash of regret, and an abundance of hope for the future. This isn’t so much a farewell, but rather an invitation to stay engaged. In the world of football, every end could indeed be just the beginning of a new and thrilling chapter. So, what’s next for Gomes? One thing’s for sure—his story is far from over, and as we all know, football always has room for a plot twist or two! Who’s ready for the next exciting installment?
