The names of the two youngest players on the team echoed throughout the Stadium of Light.
At the same time, Benfica fans in red jerseys booed loudly—especially when Kai's name was called.
Moreirense's players looked at Kai and Ronaldo.
Is this really the status of two Sporting Lisbon supernovas?
They're still just youth players. They've only been out on loan for a little over two months, yet when they returned to Lisbon for the first time, so many fans rushed to a rival stadium just to cheer for them.
What kind of influence is this?
Even Simão and Quaresma weren't this popular during their youth training days, right?
Some Moreirense players worried that Kai and Ronaldo might get nervous with so many supporters watching.
But in the next moment, Kai stretched out his arms while walking in the lineup, turned toward the stands, and shouted:
"Caesar!"
Clap! Clap!
"Caesar!"
Clap!
"Caesar!"
Clap!
The entire stadium echoed with synchronized applause and chants of "Caesar!"
This was Kai's signature entrance ritual from the U17 days in the first half of the season, and many Sporting Lisbon fans recognized it instantly.
People loved this kind of showmanship from him.
A trace of disdain flashed in Ronaldo's eyes.
So while I wasn't here, you were pulling this kind of stunt?
Fine. I'll steal it from you next time.
No—I'll clap one more time than you!
When Kai turned back, he caught Ronaldo's expression and instantly read his thoughts.
Silly boy… you'll fail.
If you clap three times, the editors won't even bother writing you up.
Meanwhile, there was one player in an even worse mood than Ronaldo—Fonte.
He also came from Sporting Lisbon.
He was even in a higher echelon than Kai and Ronaldo.
But not a single fan called out his name.
That feeling… was pure pain.
"Fonte! I support you! Work hard!"
Finally, one fan shouted.
Everyone—including Benfica's players—turned to look at Fonte with the same expression:
Damn, another one from Sporting Lisbon?
Fonte's face turned red instantly. He wished he could disappear.
At that moment, he felt it would've been better if no one had called his name at all.
For someone socially awkward, being ignored isn't the worst thing.
Being ignored… and then suddenly singled out in front of everyone?
That's true despair.
That fan… I thank your whole damn family!
…
Whistle!
The match officially began.
Moreirense lined up in a 4-3-3:
Ronaldo, Anderson, Flávio
Emerson, Macedo, Kai
Altino, Fonte, Kirop, Alex
Ricardo
The key changes today were Emerson's return and Altino starting at left-back.
This was a tactical adjustment suggested by Kai.
Because Altino would be directly facing Benfica's right winger—Maniche.
Benfica also lined up in a 4-3-3. Wingers have been trending in Portugal recently, and this formation suits them perfectly.
Sabri, João Pinto, Maniche
Sergey Kandaurov, Andrade, José Calado
Jorge Ribeiro, Feliciano Garcia, Giro, Samuel Okunowo
Nuno Santos
Sabri was Benfica's most high-profile signing this season, with a transfer fee of €2.5 million.
Benfica had traditionally developed central players like Rui Costa, but now their most popular player, Nuno Gomes, was a striker. They had also sold several quality midfielders and center-backs.
Clearly, they were trying to follow the trend of producing superstar wingers.
So they recalled Maniche and brought in players like Sabri.
But neither had truly impressed in the first team—they were still mostly substitutes.
Their full-backs were also quite strong.
Left-back Jorge Ribeiro had been teammates with Kai and Ronaldo in the Portuguese youth team. They even won the European Youth Championship together last summer.
Ribeiro was one of the older players in that group.
Right-back Samuel Okunowo was signed from Barcelona and had excellent technical ability.
A good winger needs support from strong full-backs—this clearly showed Benfica's intention to develop wide superstars.
However, just like the wingers, these full-backs were also not regular starters.
So their plan wasn't exactly going smoothly.
Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon had already produced top-tier wing talents like Quaresma, Viana, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
No wonder Benfica was jealous as hell.
Even though there were substitutes on both sides, Benfica's core lineup was still mostly first-team players.
Their striker, João Pinto, was part of Portugal's golden generation.
He might not be as famous as Figo, Rui Costa, or Pauleta, but he held a unique record—
He is the only player in history to win two FIFA World Youth Championships.
Unmatched. Before and after.
At the start, both teams played aggressively, trying to control possession.
But as time went on, one side inevitably began to lose control.
That's football.
Even if both teams want possession, one will dominate.
Even if both prefer counterattacks, one will end up controlling the ball.
Tactics matter—but player ability matters more.
So-called "advantage" on the pitch often comes down to individual quality.
Faster passes. Cleaner touches. Less adjustment time. Stronger physical duels. Better positioning.
Do that consistently, and your opponent will start doubting themselves.
If they lose too many battles, next time they won't press—they'll retreat.
That's the basic law of football:
Win the ball. Limit passing. Stop breakthroughs. Cut off shooting lanes.
The stronger the player, the more options they have.
The weaker the player, the fewer choices they can make.
And when several players on one team can't win their individual duels—
The entire match shifts.
If a game is a war made up of many small battles,
Then controlling possession means winning the first battle.
And today—
Benfica clearly had the upper hand.
Their players were superior in almost every aspect.
In the 15th minute, Benfica's left winger Sabri used his pace to blow past Alex—Moreirense's defensive weak point—and sent in a cross.
The ball was played toward the near post, as Benfica rarely relied on aerial play.
João Pinto made a sharp run, beat his marker, and struck cleanly.
One touch.
One goal.
1–0!
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