A former high-ranking Sporting CP official has accused football coach José Mourinho of engaging in “mind games” and making contradictory statements regarding rival club Benfica’s trophy tally.
Tito Arantes Fontes, a columnist for Jornal Sporting and former president of Sporting CP fan group Grupo Stromp, issued the criticism Thursday. He specifically addressed Mourinho’s recent remarks that Benfica has “one Portuguese Cup less than it should” from a past season.
Fontes highlighted a perceived inconsistency, noting that Mourinho previously stated Benfica had “one cup too many” when he was coaching another club in Portugal’s northern region.
Fontes suggested Mourinho’s current comments were a deliberate attempt to influence refereeing decisions. He repeatedly invoked the phrase “The Winner Takes It All” in his column, a sentiment he noted was also expressed by coach Rui Borges.
Beyond the Mourinho dispute, Arantes Fontes also weighed in on upcoming presidential elections at Benfica. He claimed Sporting CP is the primary topic for all candidates, who he said “calimericamente” – a term suggesting petty complaining – lament Sporting’s perceived greatness and titles.
Fontes also referenced a recent Sporting CP documentary, also titled “The Winner Takes It All,” which he described as celebrating the club’s perceived successful “past season” and its “double championship” and “double” achievements.