"There have been many games, many battles and titles that give me a sense of accomplishment"

Matheus Reis reached 200 games for Sporting Clube de Portugal in last Saturday's game against SL Benfica. The Brazilian defender spoke this week about his satisfaction in reaching this milestone, and plenty more besides.

200 games for Sporting CP
“It’s a very important achievement. I remember my presentation and my arrival here perfectly, as if it were yesterday. I never imagined that I would reach this milestone in such a short time, with an average of 50 games per season. There have been so many games, so many emotions, so many battles and trophies that give me the feeling of accomplishment.”

Being the player in the squad with the second most games at Sporting CP
“I feel very happy about this. Each game is unique and gives me the same butterflies in my stomach, but the responsibility is increasingly greater due to my experience and seniority at the club. What I try to do is pass on to the younger players – like Biel, for example, who has just arrived – how big Sporting CP are. My responsibility involves day-to-day work, not letting the standards drop and knowing that every game is there to be won.”

Going down in club history
“That is exactly what I want: To leave a mark with my hard work, dedication and never giving up. Even so, I see all this as just the beginning and I want more. I have this hunger and desire to achieve more and more.”

What Sporting CP mean to him
“Everything. I even say that Sporting CP is like an extension of my family. Sporting CP is at the centre of everything; even with my son, he knows all the songs and at home everything is green. We are very happy here and we hope to stay here for a long time. Everyone who comes here says that this club is different. Sporting CP respect and unite our families, they do things thinking about our families and our children. On the pitch you can see the unity we have, but it goes far beyond that. Our unity happens inside and outside the club.”

Favourite memories
“There are many, that will be kept in my mind forever. That’s why I will always be a big supporter of Sporting CP, both me and my family, and there are still many more things to experience here.”

Wearing the captain's armband
“It was amazing when I got that opportunity. When the coach told me that, in the absence of the regular captains, I would be wearing the armband, a lot went through my head. When you come to a club like this, you want to achieve great things, but you never imagine that you might be captain or play 200 games. It’s an achievement and leaves me with a feeling of wanting even more, to continue to write my name in the history of Sporting CP.”

His debut for Sporting CP
“It was away to Gil Vicente FC, we were losing and it was very wet. I had the opportunity to come in after two weeks of training, if I’m not mistaken, after six months without playing. The coach, Ruben Amorim, told me he would give me some time to adapt and I went to the game, but I didn’t expect to play. I was prepared, but I didn’t think I would come on. Fortunately, we managed to turn the game around. So, it couldn’t have started better and that game ended up being memorable for everyone.”

His most special game so far
“It was against SL Benfica in the Taça da Liga final, which we won. It was special. I managed to have a good game, in which we were also losing and turned it around. Even so, I think that any game that results in trophies is always special, like the one against Boavista FC, which gave us the first title in 19 years, or the one against SC Braga in the Taça da Liga. Apart from those trophies, the game against SL Benfica last season was also special; we celebrated a lot when we won 2-1 because we knew it was an important step towards winning the title."

A goal to remember
“I think it's the one I scored against SC Braga, after receiving the ball from Pote [Pedro Gonçalves]. It was a very beautiful goal in a very important victory.”

Playing in the Champions League
“It’s incredible. I remember my first game in the competition was against AFC Ajax, where we lost 1-5. It was tough for everyone. Then we went to Dortmund, but despite the defeat, we played with a different attitude. We felt we had what it took and then we got two important wins against Besiktas and qualified against Borussia Dortmund at home. From then on, we had good campaigns -and the goal is always to do better.”

The passion of the fans
“Our fans play with us, they are always supporting us and encouraging us. I have many Sportinguista friends and they sign their children up as members as soon as they are born. I think that's amazing. It's a love that is passed down from generation to generation. Every time I step onto the pitch, it's beautiful to see the stadium full of fans, as well as receiving their affection on a daily basis. They are our source of strength and we always want to make history both for ourselves and for them. They support us everywhere, they are an extra boost and make us always feel like we are playing at home.”

What still surprises him at the club
“A lot of things. The atmosphere, regardless of the results, for example. We always maintain the same faith, we always believe, we don’t let negative pressure get in the way, nor do we get too excited about victories, and with that we always maintain the level of work and demand that this club deserve. The commitment of all the employees, who dedicate themselves to making all achievements possible. You might think that victories only happen on the pitch, but there is a whole system behind it so that we get to the games and just have to win them. That and the fans -their passion and love for the club.”

The next goals to be achieved
“I always strive for more. That’s what Sporting CP deserve and that’s what the players who come here need to have in mind. Winning trophy after trophy is what we have to strive for and what the club deserve.”

A message to Sporting fans
“We still need them. We need them to keep believing, to stick with us and give us the same energy as always to finish this season well. I thank them for the strength they give us and, as I said, we will be looking for more.”