Campeões

Porto celebrated this Sunday its 22nd Portuguese championship title. But there are other curious figures besides the total number: it’s Porto’s 17^th title since Portugal become again a democracy, 33 years ago and the 4^th title in this millennium.

But Sunday was an historical day for other reasons too:

Pinto da Costa was elected for a new 3 year mandate as President of the club. Pinto da Costa first became President in 1982 and in these 25 years Porto was national Champion for 15 times and European Champion twice (1987 and 2004), besides many other national and international titles. Obviously, he was and will be re-elected as many time as he wishes...

Vitor Baia played what is likely to be his last official match. Baia debuted in Porto’s first team in 1989 (age 19), starting what is a brilliant career, as the best portuguese goalkeeper ever and one of the best in the world! He holds the record of the player with the highest number of titles conquered: 31 (6 more than Pele or Rijkaard, the next ones in the list). Besides, he is one of the 10 players that won all the European club titles (including the extinct Cup Winners Cup), being together with Stefano Tacconi the only goalkeeper in this list. Sunday, when he came into the pitch, the ovation was that of a club's heroe, that of a mythical player. And he got his 10^th Portuguese Championship title…