Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Jota celebrates Celtic wonder strike with touching tribute to Benfica legend Fernando Chalana

Celtic winger Jota has paid an emotional tribute to Benfica legend Fernando Chalana after netting the second goal during a dominant display for the Scottish champions against Kilmarnock.

Chalana sadly passed away earlier this week aged 65 having left a lasting mark on the Portuguese giants across two playing spells between 1974 and 1990, where he became known as the 'Little Genius'. The winger went on to coach Benfica once he hung up his boots working as assistant manager and twice acting as caretaker manager during his time at the club.

Chalana won six league titles and three Portuguese Cups with Benfica as a player, and clearly left an impression on Jota who spent his entire career on the books of the Lisbon giants before making his move to Glasgow's east end permanent this summer. Having netted a sensational long range strike he took the moment to pay tribute to the legendary figure as he wheeled away to celebrate with the fans.

The Portuguese star found the net with a wonder strike from 30 yards out to make it 2-0 to Celtic. He then pointed to his wrist which had tape carrying Chalana's name. He then pointed to the sky after the second goal of the afternoon in the Scottish Premiership clash.

He told Sky Sports: "This week was a sad week for me after somebody at Benfica died, Fernando Chalana. He was someone who always believed in me when I didn't believe so this one was for him.

"He kept saying to me 'don't be like the others, try to be different.' Every game I play for him."

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.