He promises "maximum commitment" and said he has a "100% focus on Portimonense". Jackson Martínez, the Colombian scorer, is in the mood to play» and was introduced this Wednesday, September 12, as a reinforcement of the Algarve team. In the stands, fans asked for "many goals" from the former Atlético de Madrid and FC Porto player.
The Colombian national team's international was one of the biggest surprises of this season, being a strong reinforcement for Portimonense. So it was not surprising that Jackson was received as a true star yesterday, at the presentation to the partners.
The player went up to the pitch, dressed to Portimonense, he tapped the ball and even signed fans' jerseys with his name on it.
“I feel very happy to have this opportunity. I want to play again and I'm preparing myself both physically and mentally”, said the scorer.
Since 2016, Jackson has not competed, due to an ankle injury, something that can affect the player's performance.
«Only on the field will I know how I will be physically. Training is one thing, playing is another and the pace is completely different. My mind is focused on, day by day, seeing how I'm feeling, and when the coach thinks I'm ready to play, I'll take the field to give my best,” explained Jackson.
On the stand, Erica Canelas showed herself oblivious to the physical condition of the new Portimonense star and had only one request to make: goals. "I hope he comes to score a lot and that we get more points so we don't go down the division," he told the Sul Informação.
The young Algarvian fan still remembers Jackson's spell at FC Porto, during which, in three years, the athlete scored 92 goals in 132 games. «I hope you do the same here because you are a good player», asked Erica.
António Folha, coach of Portimonense, was also keen to emphasize the quality of the new reinforcement of his team. «No need for introductions: he's not just any player. We want to give conditions so that you can go back to doing what you know best», said the technician.
As for Jackson's physical condition, Folha said that "we are going to assess how he is and, progressively, we are going to see how it can be used, whether 90, 60 or 30 minutes, depending on his physical condition and how he feels after this long break."
And as proof of the mediation of the hiring of Cha Cha Cha (nickname of Jackson), in the stands of Estádio do Portimonense there were even supporters… of Sporting. Or, better, at least one.
Marcelo Abreu was born in Portimão, but it is for the Alvalade club that he suffers. Taking advantage of a vacation in his hometown, he wanted to see the performance of the Colombian international.
“I hope Jackson scores a lot of goals. That's the expectation you have for a player like him. At FC Porto he showed a lot of determination and today is a very important day for Portimonense», he told the Sul Informação.
The Sporting fan already fears for the games in which the team from Portimão will face José Peseiro's club. "I'm afraid that my Sporting will score goals, but we also have a good defense!", he exclaimed.
Asked if Portimonense could be a launching pad for an eventual return to FC Porto, Jackson was perentory. «Oporto was Porto. Now it's Portimonense and I'm 100% focused».
As for Rodiney Sampaio, president of the SAD of the Algarve, considered that Portimonense has "a strong group of players".
The team's objective (maintenance), he guarantees, “will be achieved”. The start was not the best – Portimonense have only 1 point in four games and are in last place -, but the truth is that the arrival of Jackson promises to shake the opposing defenses…
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
Comments