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The news was not exactly a surprise for a circle close to Fernando Chalana, but it did not erase the scare caused by the disappearance of one of the best national players in history. For this reason, among friends, teammates and opponents who outside the four lines were as close or closer than those with whom he shared a dressing room, they all played on the same team when it came to talking about Chalanix the little genius that marked a generation with an exceptional left foot.
“It is a very sad day for the entire nation of Benfica, I will say that it is a very sad day for all football lovers. Our genius, after suffering so much in recent times, ended up choosing the 10th to leave us and go in peace… It’s a very sad day for all of us, it’s seeing one of the greatest idols of national football leave, one of the greatest symbol of the club and that he will surely have a place in the history of the club forever, for everything he has done, for everything he has been and for all the great and gratifying memories we have of him. All those who have lived in the club have memories of Chalana… What he did on the pitches… After those who had the opportunity to work with him and get to know him as a person, I have innumerable memories. He was my coach last year and that’s where his problem began, because of the way he worked at a stage when we weren’t doing well. He was my last coach on the field. This also reveals what the connection to the club was. For my generation, for his generation, he was perhaps the greatest genius of Portuguese football”, Rui Costa, now president of Benfica, told BTV.
“My first words are for the family, for Cristina, the wife, and for Mariana. I want to share with them this pain they are experiencing. It is a day of deep sadness. We knew that Chalana had a degenerative disease and that this news would come sooner or later. But there are many of us who leave, for the moments we shared as players, for the relationship I later had as Chalana’s coach and, after finishing his career, for the moments we lived together. Portuguese football is sad because it loses one of its most legitimate representatives. Chalana’s genius was omnipresent in the stadiums. Today is the day to celebrate, to stand up and applaud one of the best players of all time in Portuguese football. I want him to rest in peace, he misses us all very much”, Toni, former Benfica teammate and coach, told RTP3.
“With deep sadness I mourn the passing of Little Genius Fernando Chalana, a Portuguese international and benchmark for Benfica. Chalana spread magic and art on the soccer fields, delighted fans with his fantasy and earned the admiration of all those who follow the sport and deservedly elevated to the dimension of an idol. He was one of the best players in our football, especially his performances in the 1984 European Championship. With his disappearance, Portuguese sport and football lost a mythical reference. Chalana was a human being of exceptional qualities”, highlighted Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation. It should be noted that, starting today, all competitions organized by the Federation will observe a minute of silence.
“Liga Portugal deeply regrets the death of Fernando Chalana, former Benfica player and coach and Portuguese international. Born in Barreiro, Fernando Chalana was born on February 10, 1959 and represented Benfica for 13 seasons, between 1974-1984 and then from 1987 to 1990. He represented the National Team on 27 occasions and was one of the figures of Portugal in the Euro-84. To the bereaved family, to the fans in general and to those of Benfica in particular, the Liga Portugal sends its deepest condolences”, recalled the organization that supervises professional competitions in a statement.
“Fernando Chalana passed away this morning. One of the most brilliant players in Portuguese football left us at the age of 63. His football inspired young generations and sparked passions for the sport. I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and Benfica”, wrote João Paulo Correia, Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, on his official Twitter account.
Fernando Chalana passed away this morning. One of the most brilliant players in Portuguese football left us at the age of 63. His football inspired the young generation and sparked passions for the sport.
I express my deepest condolences to family, friends and SL Benfica. pic.twitter.com/2maqSHJ6ER– João Paulo Correia (@jpcorreia_sejd) August 10, 2022
“Duels that are also part of our history. Rest in peace, Fernando Chalana”, wrote FC Porto. “A great figure of Portuguese football. Rest in peace, Fernando Chalana”, highlighted Sporting. “Fernando Chalana, a brilliant footballer who stood out in the Euro-84 at the service of all of us, left at the age of 63 and who defended the Belenenses shirt in the 1990/91 season, in which he played 14 games. At this very difficult time and on behalf of the entire Belén family, the Club’s Governing Bodies send their deepest condolences to all the family and friends of Chalana”, said the Blues. Bordeaux, where he played between 1984 and 1987, also left a message through social networks.
Duels that are also part of our history. Rest in peace, Fernando Chalana.#FCPorto pic.twitter.com/SsKYV2PLWY
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) August 10, 2022
A great figure of Portuguese football.
Rest in peace, Fernando Chalana???? pic.twitter.com/N7XI0OTfhu
– Sporting Club of Portugal (@Sporting_CP) August 10, 2022
Rest in peace, Fernando Chalana! ????
???? Consult the note of condolence from the Governing Bodies of the #belenenses at https://t.co/QmamasWcpO #tweetcake pic.twitter.com/Epchqck7dz
– The Belenenses (@CFosBelenenses) August 10, 2022
Le club a appris avec tristesse le décès by Fernando Chalana.
Le Football Club Girondins de Bordeaux sends its most sincere condolences to his family even though they are proches ???????? pic.twitter.com/FX1IlgE0di
— FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) August 10, 2022
Source: Observadora
