RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The achievements of the Libertadores Cup and the Brazilian Championship by Flamengo this weekend have greatly boosted the prestige of manager Jorge Jesus.
On Monday, amidst the red-and-black celebration, the Portuguese manager was honored by the City Council of Rio de Janeiro as an Honorary Citizen of Rio de Janeiro and was also remembered in his homeland.
In an interview with journalists at an event in Lisbon, the president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, announced on Monday that he has already congratulated Jorge Jesus for his achievements at Flamengo and that he intends to decorate him for his success in Brazil.
“I have personally sent him a friendly hug and he was happy for the thought, saying that Portugal is always in his thoughts,” said the Portuguese president, who stressed that Jesus “takes Portugal further,” recalling that the manager carried the Portuguese flag with him during most of the celebrations.
“There is this gratitude from Portugal. He was representing a Brazilian club, with players of several nationalities, in a Latin American competition, always saying ‘I’m Portuguese’, ‘wherever I am, so is Portugal’. Whenever a Portuguese excels in all areas of activity, we are proud on behalf of Portugal,” added Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
“I want to make sure that there are no injustices, and that other Portuguese who have won continental competitions like this have also been decorated,” he added, recalling “the generosity” that he has shown to Portuguese sports personalities ever since he took office.