Portuguese veteran, Hugo Filipe Silva Moreira, has revealed that the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens 2026 tournament is his “last dance”. After a memorable two-year stay in Hong Kong and with the Hong Kong Football Club, the player-coach is bidding farewell to Hong Kong to return home to Portugal.
“I’ve been here for two years, so it’s been great. Being part of it, it’s been wonderful. I’m going to finish my career to have more time for my family.”
Returning to the Lusitanian Land marks the beginning of a new chapter for the 35-year-old, who is ready to prioritise his family after his time in the Pearl of the Orient. Reflecting on his longevity in the game, Moreira noted:
“I’m 35, I’m not 25 anymore. I’ve been a professional for 20 years, so it’s time to make a break.”
Moreira has carried a heavy workload, showing up on and off the pitch in his dual role for HKFC. He candidly admitted that balancing the responsibilities of playing while managing the squad has taken its toll.
“I’m coaching and playing. It’s not easy. I’m always busy with the schedule and lacking time to rest.”
Now is the time to transition fully to the sidelines, with a move to full-time coaching in Portugal. Moreira jokingly shared that his personal motto this year was “Until the body breaks”—and his body has finally told him it’s time to stop playing.
“I’ll keep coaching. And I think that’s what I want to do.”
As he prepares for his final bow, Moreira offered a heartfelt message of gratitude to the local football community:
“I want to say thank you to everyone who embraced me here because it was such a nice experience. I’m very grateful for what I achieved here. I had a lot of help from all these people here, including the football club (HKFC) and Asia Pacific Soccer Schools (APSS). It’s been a great experience for me, and I’m truly thankful.”
