Gonçalo Ramos defends Prestianni and always remembers Benfica.

Gonçalo Ramos, the young star who has taken the football world by storm with his multimillion-euro transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, has not forgotten his roots at Benfica and sheds light on the controversy surrounding Prestianni, in a testimony that promises to ignite debate in Portuguese and international football.

In an exclusive outpouring on the “Cala-te Boca” podcast from Megahits, the Portuguese forward, signed by PSG for an impressive €65 million, reaffirmed his indelible connection to the club where he was trained and where he shaped the player he is today. “The Benfica brand will always be in me. I am one of the products of Benfica and I grew up at the club. Everything I do and who I am today has to do with Benfica. Achieving such a high level is a dream. No one starts playing football thinking ‘I will play with Ronaldo and Mbappé.’ It’s a distant dream,” revealed Gonçalo Ramos, displaying the humility and ambition of a rising talent.

But it wasn’t just memories that he spoke about. Gonçalo Ramos also addressed the controversy that has been shaking football: the racism allegations made by Vinícius Jr. against the Argentine Prestianni. The Portuguese player did not hesitate to highlight the lack of concrete evidence in the case, but he emphasized the seriousness of any racist act. “There is no evidence that it actually happened, but it is condemnable if it did happen; we must avoid that kind of behavior. No matter how someone celebrates a goal, and they may call it provocation, it is part of our sport and others. A bit of provocation can even fire us up, but provocation doesn’t have to be an offense,” he stated, trying to separate healthy provocation from racial offense, in a measured defense that calls for calm.

Despite the multi-million transfer and rising stardom, Gonçalo Ramos downplayed his current lack of minutes at PSG, showing focus on the future and what really matters: “Participating in the World Cup is already a dream, and giving that little gift to Cristiano provides even greater motivation… not that it was lacking.” This is a clear reference to the possible last World Cup of Cristiano Ronaldo, a legend of Portuguese football, who continues to inspire new generations.

Gonçalo Ramos, the forward who has Benfica in his heart and the world of football at his feet, presents himself as a balanced and mature voice, ready to face challenges both on and off the pitch. His analysis of the Prestianni case and his views on his career make it clear that, for him, respect and passion for the sport are non-negotiable. This is a player who not only scores goals, but also speaks words, and who promises to remain in the headlines in 2024 and beyond.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.