Former FC Porto president Pinto da Costa has rejected claims that he left the club’s finances in a poor state, countering accusations that suggested only “8000 euros” were left in the accounts upon his departure. In a recent interview, Da Costa defended his legacy, arguing that focusing solely on a small cash balance ignores the significant assets and future revenues secured under his leadership.
“They say we left 8 thousand euros in the account, but what we left was 50 million because of the Club World Cup, a 60 million contract with Ithaka,” Pinto da Costa stated, highlighting major financial deals in place. He further elaborated on the improved Ithaka contract, noting, “They then wanted to improve the contract at the expense of the members, they significantly increased the number of season tickets and boxes, and obviously the contract improved.”
Da Costa also pointed to player sales as evidence of financial stability and forward-thinking management. “Just now they sold Evanilson for 37 million, and that is an asset that we left,” he asserted. This sale, along with the lucrative contracts, demonstrates a financial structure extending far beyond immediate cash reserves.
Beyond specific financial transactions, Pinto da Costa emphasized his overall contribution to FC Porto’s growth and success throughout his long tenure. “I left 69 titles in football, 2,560 in other sports, a stadium that we built, a museum, a pavilion, and above all, I left most of the days of my life since 1962,” he declared. This comprehensive legacy, encompassing sporting achievements and infrastructure development, forms the core of his defense against financial mismanagement claims. He frames the focus on a mere “8000 euros” as a misrepresentation of the larger, more positive financial picture he believes he left behind at FC Porto.
When questioned about the best player he had ever seen, Pinto da Costa mentioned, “Of those I saw, Di Stefano. A phenomenon. From this generation, I think there are two above all: Ronaldo and Messi.” He also expressed his hopes for global peace and for an end to homelessness in Portugal and Porto, broadening the scope of the interview beyond football and finance.
In summary, Pinto da Costa’s interview serves as a strong rebuttal to criticisms of his financial stewardship at FC Porto. By highlighting future revenues, player assets, and his extensive legacy, he seeks to reframe the narrative away from the contested “8000 euros” and towards a broader view of his contributions to the club. The discussion around the “8000 Euros Pinto Costa” figure is thus positioned by Da Costa as a dramatic oversimplification of a more complex and ultimately positive financial reality.
