Special correspondent Gan Hui reports On the evening of February 7, Shanghai Shenhua defeated the old rival Harbour with a thrilling reversal and won the first championship trophy of the 2025 Chinese Professional Football League - Super Cup.

Although Teixeira did not directly contribute to the goal in the game, that did not overshadow his shine. He ran tirelessly and tackled, showing good competitive form, and fully demonstrating his tactical value in the Shenhua system. Speaking after the match, Teixeira said: "I'm very happy to win the title, it was a very good game. We have another trophy and this is a great start to the new season and will further boost the confidence and morale of our team. Special thanks to the fans and friends who came to cheer for us. It was very cold, it was not easy for everyone, but the fans gave us a lot of motivation to come back and win the title at the last moment. ”

If I had to describe Teixeira in one word, I would use "different". As a No.10 player on the pitch, Teixeira has a different style of play from most No.10 players, not only as an attacking hub, but also as a defensive interception. On the field, Teixeira always tackles again and again, becoming the starting point for the team to switch from defense to attack. In the Super Cup match against Harbour, Teixeira made a game-high six.

Teixeira in life is equally special. Born in Portugal, he is a native European, but when he came to China, he fell in love with pancakes and took the subway to get around and feel the city's pulse.

Teixeira was frank and straightforward, smiling embarrassedly when asked about last season's high number of yellow cards, before saying in a firm tone: "Try to control your temper and get fewer yellow cards on the pitch." Teixeira, who contributed eight goals and three assists in the 2024 season, hopes to perform better in the new season and make a greater contribution to the team.

◆Football: You had eight goals and three assists in the league last season, what do you expect from yourself for the new season?

Teixeira: We played really well last season and this season we will definitely be demanding more from ourselves, which is normal, and hopefully we can perform better this season than last season. As for the number of goals and assists, there is no definite idea at the moment, but one thing is for sure, and it is very clear, that I am going to do better than last year.

◆Statistically, your overall stats last season were pretty good. Was this the most satisfying overall season of your career so far?

Last year's stats were really good, but I remember one season when I was in Portugal and scored a little bit more goals. Of course, overall I am quite satisfied, and I hope to be more satisfied this year.

◆What was the main reason for this performance last year?

The coach knows how to play my characteristics and knows my tactical value. Also, our whole defence is more focused on attack, so that's what makes a difference in my performance.

◆Unlike a lot of No.10s, you're also actively involved in the team's defence, is that your style of play or the manager's tactical requirements?

Football is a whole and our manager wants to press as a whole and at the same time drop out. I think defending is one of the responsibilities of every player, so I have to defend well on the pitch.

◆Football: Last season, apart from injuries, you were suspended for accumulating yellow cards in a few games, and you got 12 yellow cards throughout the season, have you summarized the reasons?

Teixeira: I've thought about that because it's really a problem. I think this year I'm going to try to keep my temper under control and get fewer yellow cards on the pitch.

◆From last season's games, when you're not on the pitch, the offensive side of the team suffers a lot. Have you ever noticed this while watching a game from the sidelines?

I know what makes me on the pitch. In my opinion, having a companion in the team is relatively similar to mine. In addition, I believe that this situation should be relatively rare this year.

◆You just said that there are players in the team with similar characteristics to you, who are they?

For example, Xie Pengfei.

◆What kind of person is Teixeira in life? Could it be that he is more quick-tempered, very outgoing, and talks a lot?

Whether in life or in the team, I am the same, very enthusiastic, but a little impatient. Of course, you know my intentions are good, everything is for the good of the team.

◆Football: Since coming to Shenhua, which game have you been most impressed by?

Teixeira: If you don't count the trophy games, the most memorable thing for me in the league was last year's home game against Harbour. At that time we were five points behind them in the standings. We were very excited from the start and the desire to win was very strong. This will, this atmosphere, is contagious to me and allows me to play better on the field.

◆As an attacking player, you'll always have to be closely marked by your opponents. So far, which line of defense do you think is the most difficult to deal with in the Super League?

Shandong, Chengdu, Haigang, Guoan, these teams with relatively strong overall strength are often teams with relatively solid defensive lines, and their players are strong and their co-defense on the field is also better.

◆Last year, the team finished runners-up in the league by one point, did you do a review at the end of the season and sum up the difference by one point?

Football is a team sport, and if you have to say something, or a certain link, that determines that we are not as good as others, and leads to the runner-up, I think it is very difficult. It can only be said that some details, or many details, many small pieces are piled up, and the quantitative change causes the qualitative change, which leads to us being the runner-up in the end and not winning the championship.

◆This year the team has higher expectations for results, so from your personal point of view, how will you try to contribute more to the team?

Football is a whole sport, and sometimes it can be possible to achieve or lose a goal just by that breath, and it is often necessary for the veteran players to step up and play an exemplary role. As an outsider, like Amadou, I was in my third year in the team and was the longest-serving outsider, so I had to play the role of a "veteran". We also have Wu Xi and Yu Hanchao in the team, and they can all play a good role model for young players.

◆When I interviewed the head coach, he said that the competition in the Chinese Super League will be more fierce this year, as a player, what do you think are the main opponents of Shenhua in the new season?

I agree with the manager. After playing the warm-up match in Haikou, I felt that other opponents were strengthening and it would be difficult to play this season.

◆This year, Shenhua's forward line has a new signing, Mineiro, please evaluate this new partner in the offensive end from your perspective?

He's a very fast player with a lot of power. You can see that he's very committed in training and I think he'll show his true quality and level very quickly.

◆Mineiro is a new foreign player who has just arrived in the team, you speak the same language with him, do you usually communicate more with him?

I've been here for two seasons now and I'm kind of a foreigner, so it's my responsibility to help him get used to the team as soon as possible and to understand the manager's style of play as soon as possible. At the same time, with the other two foreign players, I think it will definitely help our attacking line.

◆You've spent time at Liverpool and how has that experience influenced your career?

I spent three and a half years at Liverpool and a year at Brighton, so the two teams add up to four and a half years. I learned a lot from my experience with these two teams and taught me how the team is organised, how football is played and how the tactics should be played.

◆Football: When you were in Shanghai, where did you like to go? Will you try Chinese food?

Teixeira: I will try, especially pancakes, which I love the most. As for the places to go, there are too many, Yu Garden, the Bund, etc., and I like to take the subway every time.

◆Prefer to travel by subway?

Oh, yes! The subway is safe, clean and hygienic, there is no traffic jam, and the more you take the subway, the faster you know about the city, the more you know about the city, so when I am in good spirits, I will take the subway around at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

◆In Shanghai, there are a lot of Shenhua fans, is it often recognized?

Yes, if you recognize it, take a picture together. I think that where there are many people, there is vitality, and only then can there be fireworks.

◆So are you someone who likes to be lively?

Yes, yes, yes (say three "yes" confirmations in a row).

◆Have you ever felt the Chinese New Year?

Yes Chinese New Year in Shanghai. Although the style is different and the way is different, everyone is very festive, just like we celebrate New Year's Day and Christmas.

◆Do you know how to use chopsticks?

Yes!

◆Isn't that already very integrated into China?

Yes!

◆Are you willing to try something new?

I like history and culture, and China is a country with a lot of history and culture, and I think I can learn a lot of new things here.

◆Is that one of the things that attracted you here in the first place?

Not really. When Shenhua first contacted me, she mainly talked to me about football, not about Chinese culture.

◆Looking back on your career, you haven't been at clubs for too long, and at Shenhua you've now started your second contract. Do you feel that you have a special fate with Shenhua?

Since I came here, I feel very close to both Shanghai and China, and I feel like this place is my home, whether it is in the club or in my own home. I hope that even if I don't play here anymore, I will feel very warm and friendly when I look back on my time here. Also, the fans of Shenhua are so enthusiastic about us, which makes me feel very warm in my heart and gives me more motivation to make more contributions to the team.

◆What do you hope to achieve with the team over the next year of your contract?

If I had to say the goal, it would be to hope that this year will be better than last year. Personally, I hope that my stats can be better than last year, and at the same time, I can bring more joy to our fans.