Coates was in the Sporting dressing room when the Alcochete Academy attack happened in 2018, however, unlike nine other players, the Uruguayan did not want to have his contract terminated as he felt that if he did, he would “turn the supporters have their backs”. “These are difficult times. But they are also part of my experience at the club. I wish I hadn’t had that experience, but it happened. And with everything we always learn something. It was a lesson that when things don’t go well, the group sticks together and this is the most important thing, it must also be said that it wasn’t all Sporting fans, there were some who had other ideas, but we cannot include Sporting in what happened”, he began by explaining to RTP, describing in detail what he felt after what happened: “Sporting opened its doors to me, the fans have always supported me. I never thought that represented the world of Sporting, they were just a few fans. So if I leave, I would make all the other Sporting fans turn away and that didn’t seem right to me.” In another context, urged to choose the best moment he lived in Alvalade, the captain focuses on the ” present”. “It’s difficult to choose a single moment, usually people remember the conquests, a Scudetto, a Cup. But for me the best moment is always the present, the day, sharing the dressing room with my colleagues, being a Sporting player has always been wonderful,” he underlined.
And still as regards the present, as far as the championship accounts are concerned, Coates promises to fight to the end with his rivals, despite the team starting the season badly. “We could have done things better at the beginning. Today we are better, it doesn’t mean we will overcome them, but we feel better as a team, we will do everything to overcome them. We go match by match and in the end we will see,” he underlined, praising Rúben Amorim : “I learned a lot from him. He is a coach who always encourages the players. We have stability, it is thanks to Rúben, the structure and the players.”
Finally, as far as the transfer market is concerned, Sarabia’s return would be welcome. “It doesn’t depend on me, but yes. When Pablo was there he did a great job, he was the top scorer. He’s a great player,” he underlined, just like the reunion between Sporting and a ‘so’.. Cristiano Ronaldo: ” We know he’s a Sporting fan, but we haven’t talked much about whether he could come to the club. These are decisions we don’t have to make. If he comes to us, it would be very important.”