Diogo Dalot was the most influential person in Portuguese football in 2024

A failure by Diogo Dalot changed the history of Portuguese football in less than two months. But in the end, Dalot’s butterfly effect made dreams come true and took a man out of unemployment.

In the morning of October 27th (a Sunday), everything was serene in Portuguese football.

Sporting, unsurprisingly, were in 1st place in the championship. The night before, the lions had even beaten Famalicão (0 to 3). Ruben Amorim was the biggest and was very happy in Alvalade.

It seemed that this leonine state of happiness was going to last… but, at around 2:30 pm, at the Olympic Stadium in London, without anyone predicting it, Diogo Dalot changed the destiny of Portuguese football.

West Ham e Manchester United faced each other for matchday 9 of the Premier League. Despite winning the super cup at the beginning of the season, successive bad results haunted the red devills and leaving Erik ten Hag with “a price on his head”.

In the 32nd minute, with the goal wide open and still 0-0 on the scoreboard, Diogo Dalot shot wide and entered straight into the list of failures of the year.

It was just a little better aim, Diogo

— DAZN Portugal (@DAZNPortugal)

It seemed that everything was going wrong for the Dutch coach and, at Old Trafford, he was desperate for a quick change. Manchester ended up losing that game (2-1) and United fans blamed the Portuguese full-back, but in the end, they were grateful: yes, Ten Hag was fired.

Dalot’s miss vs West Ham at the weekend look bad from this angle.

— Soccer Forever (@soccerforeverhq)

In England, they say Dalot “plotted” Ten Hag – but not only…

If the Portuguese had scored that goal, would Ten Hag have remained in charge of United? And for how long? It’s impossible to know. The only thing that is known is that Ruben Amorim was chosen to fix Old Trafford from time to time, since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.

But, before leaving, the Portuguese coach “fixed” Estrela da Amadora, Manchester City (to show what he was going for) and Braga. Ruben Amorim left Sporting in 1st place in the championship, undefeated in the Champions League, and with a super team – which, as he himself said, “I played with my eyes closed”.

Only then did Ruben pack his bags and fly to Manchester… but, unexpectedly, the happiness in Alvalade to have also flown with him.

João Pereira took over Sporting’s technical command. The first game went well. 6-0 for the Cup against Amarante. From there, it was downhill. In the seven games that followed, Sporting lost four, drew one and won two. After all, that super team didn’t play with “eyes closed”.

Suddenly, Sporting is in 2nd place, has two defeats in the Champions League, was almost eliminated from the Cup and até Viktor Gyökeres anda a marcar menos goals.

The former right-back of the national team ended up being on Christmas Day this Wednesday, although he did not demand “not a single penny from the club”.

The person chosen for succession was Rui Borgeswhich was in the middle of a historic season at Vitória Sport Clube. Despite 6th place in the championship, the Guimarães team finished the first phase of the Conference League undefeated, and in 2nd place (just behind Chelsea).

On social media, Vitória de Guimarães fansupset (but with humor), blame Diogo Dalot for the coach’s departure that was leading them to glory in Europe.

Dalot… you have blood on your hands

— Pansau Sanhá (@djossedgaf)

There was speculation that Rui Borges’ replacement at Vitória could be Luis Pinto which is having an equally historic season in Tondela (without any defeat in the II League, so far).

Internet users already said that Diogo Dalot would “destroy” three projects sports in less than two months.

However, the choice ended up falling on Daniel Sousawho was without a club – and, This way, no ongoing project was ruined..

All things considered, Diogo Dalot ended up helping a man who had the dream of coaching Manchester United; two who had the dream of coaching Sporting; and, finally, one who was unemployed. So perhaps it was the most influential person in Portuguese football in 2024 (and a hero!).

— Kwin is national champion 🇳🇬 (@therachelpr)