Jorge Cadete gave, this Thursday, an interview with the program ‘Bola Branca’, broadcast by Rádio Renascença, in which he assumed that he will be supporting Celtic, against Benfica, in the match of the second round of the league phase of the Europa League, which has the starting whistle scheduled for 8:00 pm (Mainland Portugal time), at Estádio da Luz.
“My wish is that Celtic can score the three points, because, in sentimental terms, I have a very strong connection to Celtic”, began by stating the former Portuguese international, who was, moreover, confident that it would even be possible for his former team to get the better of the Reds.
“They’re Scottish, and it’s often said that the British, their culture since they were little, is to play to win. They’re not Latin, they don’t play in terms of strategy to draw, to hold on, to burn time… No, they play with the aim of scoring goals, being more offensive, putting more pressure on the opponent and winning the game. That’s what Celtic will do,” he added.
Born in Porto Amélia, in Mozambique, Jorge Cadete moved to Portugal at a ‘young’ age, having taken his first steps in the world of football working for Académica de Santarém, before being ‘fished’ by Sporting, in 1984. A loan to Vitória FC followed, after which he became one of the main green and white references.
In the 1994/95 sports season, he was loaned to Brescia, before leaving for Chelsea the following year. There, he enjoyed the best period of his career, scoring 38 goals after 50 official games, in all competitions. From there, he moved to Celta de Vigo, where he was not happy, so, a year and a half later, he returned to Portugal, through Benfica’s ‘door’.
The experience with an eagle on his chest also didn’t go as he intended (he participated in just 22 matches, scoring three goals and scoring other goals). This was followed by spells at Bradford City, Estrela da Amadora, Patrick Thistle, Pinhalnovense and São Marcos, where he would hang up his boots in 2007.
Will Jota be able to overcome Jorge Cadete?
In this interview, Jorge Cadete also discussed the appreciation that Celtic fans have for their compatriot Jota, who has just returned to the pitch, following a serious injury, and who is a certain low point for Benfica, as he was never registered by the Scots with UEFA.
He had already proven his entire category during the time he was there, before leaving for Saudi Arabia (to Al-Ittihad Jeddah). He’s going to really affect the team,” he said, saying he has “no doubt” that he will be loved as much or more than he was in Glasgow.
“Of course, although almost everyone sometimes asks me if I was at Celtic for seven or eight years… When I say I was only there for 12 months, people are surprised. Of course, a player with more time at the club always has more opportunities so that the fans don’t forget him, too,” he concluded.
