RIP Fernando Chalana

SportingCP96

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Portuguese and Benfica Legend Fernando Chalana nicknamed "Little Genius" has passed away today at 63 years old. Not sure if many know who he is but figured I would do a appreciation post.

Chalana was a diminutive ambidextrous winger who was a nightmare for fullbacks and the idol of guys like Paulo Futre. His peak moment was helping lead Portugal the 1984 Euro semifinals and putting on a show against the eventual winners France. His career was filled with many injuries especially after his move to Bordeaux.
 

coffee

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I wasn’t just Futre. Figo absolutely loved him. There’s this testimonial you can see him running towards Chalana and hugging him.
Sad day indeed.
 

SportingCP96

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coffee said:
I wasn’t just Futre. Figo absolutely loved him. There’s this testimonial you can see him running towards Chalana and hugging him.
Sad day indeed.
Click to expand...
All three of them played very similar and you can see the progression slowly got better

From Chalana < Futre to Figo > Futre

Absolute legend.
 

André Dominguez

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SportingCP96 said:
Portuguese and Benfica Legend Fernando Chalana nicknamed "Little Genius" has passed away today at 63 years old. Not sure if many know who he is but figured I would do a appreciation post.

Chalana was a diminutive ambidextrous winger who was a nightmare for fullbacks and the idol of guys like Paulo Futre. His peak moment was helping lead Portugal the 1984 Euro semifinals and putting on a show against the eventual winners France. His career was filled with many injuries especially after his move to Bordeaux.
Click to expand...
I think it was a bad tackle from Tigana during a training match while on Bordeaux that basically wrecked his knee. Obviously Tigana didn't intend to do it, it was pretty much "normal" back on those days to see those flying tackles and refs were lenient with them.
 

TwoSheds

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André Dominguez said:



I think it was a bad tackle from Tigana during a training match while on Bordeaux that basically wrecked his knee. Obviously Tigana didn't intend to do it, it was pretty much "normal" back on those days to see those flying tackles and refs were lenient with them.
Click to expand...
His control and dribbling were :drool:
 
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