José Fonte's legacy at Lille captures an era of triumph and leadership, writing his name as a legendary figure in the club's history. His arrival in 2018 announced more than just a player; it introduced a leader, a mentor, and a guiding force for a team craving experience and wisdom.
Fonte's journey with Lille was a remarkable one. He recalls the moment when the club's sporting director was looking to sign him: “The Lille sporting director called me and said: ‘Listen, I need someone with your profile, I need someone with experience, leadership skills because I have a very young squad with no experience.’” The challenge made sense to Fonte, and his response was key for Lille’s next years of success.
The highest point of Fonte's time at Lille came in the 2020-2021 season, where against all odds, he led the team to the Ligue 1 title. “It's a collective victory, coming from work, solidarity and talent, because there is also a lot of talent in this team. I want to congratulate everyone here at the club, the staff, the players, the supporters, this victory is for the North of France and for us, people who work and deserve a lot. He also compared it to his EURO 2016 title: “I think for me it's almost at the same level as the European Championship (with Portugal).”
An impressive fact that Fonte shared in an interview was that when he was negotiating his contract with Lille, he asked for a championship bonus: “When I arrived, I spoke with Marc Ingla (Lille Director General) about a title bonus. Because I believe that everything is possible in football. You have to believe that it is possible. It is also a bit down to my work. When I arrived, they thought I was completely crazy.”
The historic title-clinching match against Angers summarized Lille's incredible journey, sealing Fonte having played a huge role in shaping the team's destiny and leaving an immense mark on Lille's history.
