The UEFA Women’s Champions League final is just around the corner, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Tomorrow, Saturday, Arsenal will face off against Barcelona at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, starting at 5 pm. To get the party started, Heineken, one of the main sponsors, brought two football legends, Thiago Alcântara and Jill Scott, to the city.
As they visited the Praça do Comércio, a hub for fans to gather and enjoy the experience, Jill Scott couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. “It’s harder being a fan than a player,” she admitted. “As a player, I can prepare, do my job, and have fun. But as a fan, I have no control, so I resort to superstitions.” Thiago Alcântara, on the other hand, was asked if he’d consider coming out of retirement to play for Benfica, and he simply smiled, saying, “They don’t need me.”
Thiago has fond memories of Lisbon, where he last played for Bayern Munich in the 2020 Champions League final against PSG. “It was an incredible experience, even without fans due to the pandemic,” he recalled. “Lisbon is a special place.” When asked about the upcoming final, Jill Scott didn’t hesitate: “It’ll be a tough game, but my heart says Arsenal will win 2-1.” Thiago, however, was more cautious, acknowledging Barcelona’s experience and dominance but emphasizing that anything can happen in a final.
Meet the Legends
As they mingled with fans, Thiago and Jill were also asked about their thoughts on the players. Jill Scott praised Portuguese player Kika Nazareth, who’s currently injured and missing the final: “She’s fantastic, and playing for Barcelona has taken her to another level.” Thiago, meanwhile, expressed his admiration for the growth of women’s football, saying, “It’s fantastic to see people enjoying the game.”
The Future of Women’s Football
With the stadium sold out, Jill Scott beamed with pride: “This is what we’ve always wanted – to see people having fun with women’s football. It’s incredible to see this evolution, and I feel proud to have been part of it for 20 years.” Thiago, who announced his retirement a year ago, seems content with his decision: “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and I’m living an incredible moment. I made a good choice.”
As for his gray hair, Thiago joked, “I got those before retirement!” Jill Scott chimed in, teasing him about his resemblance to George Clooney, leaving him blushing. The lighthearted moment showcased the camaraderie between the two legends, who are thrilled to be part of the UEFA Women’s Champions League final festivities.
- Thiago Alcântara and Jill Scott attended the UEFA Women’s Champions League final festivities in Lisbon.
- The final will take place tomorrow, Saturday, at the Estádio José Alvalade, with Arsenal facing Barcelona.
- Heineken sponsored the event, bringing the two legends to the city to interact with fans.
