Thriving Pitbull hoping for FC Porto recall

Brazilian’s superb displays for Setubal fuel ambition

Claudio Pitbull is enjoying his finest season yet in Portuguese football. The Brazilian has excelled since his loan move to Vitoria Setubal this past summer.

The former Gremio player was brought to Portugal in 2004 by FC Porto, but never solidified his spot with the Portuguese powerhouse. The forward has been bounced around between Fluminense, Santos, Al-Ittihad and Academica since then, before finally settling with Setubal.

The player has featured in 18 matches this season for the Sadinos, scoring 4 goals and setting up a host of others. Indeed, many pundits have identified Pitbull’s vibrant performances as one of the key factors behind the sensational season being enjoyed by Carlos Carvalhal’s team.

After avoiding the drop on the last day of the previous campaign, Setubal have lost just four matches in all competitions this season. They are in the final of the Carlsberg Cup, semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup and are sitting pretty in fourth place in the Bwin Liga.

Potential realised

Pitbull recognises he is having his best year since his move almost four years ago. “I did not reveal all of my potential at first in Portugal, but this season everything is going well and, I believe, I’m showing all of my capabilities,” Pitbull told Portuguese website Maisfutebol.

Although the player has finally come into his own, his words might disappoint the Setubal faithful as Pitbull makes no qualms about still hoping to earn a spot in Porto’s squad.

“I have a lot of friends at FC Porto and I would rather play with the notion of returning to the club. My objective when I arrived at Setubal was to have a full season here. I am trying to do my job and repay those for what they have done for me.”

“The FC Porto players have a lot of quality. I have always said that I would like to return, but I have not had any contact with the club, not in January, nor any now.”

“If they called me and told me I was going to FC Porto, that would make me very happy. When I signed for five seasons, you always have hope that you will be a champion. It is not by chance that I have residence in Porto.”

In the more immediate future Pitbull says he is firmly focussed on the showdown against Sporting in the final of the inaugural Carlsberg Cup, to be played in the Algarve Stadium on Saturday evening.