On his return to Portugal, Gonçalo Rodrigues' album – or Guga – has space for a Chinese Cup, ten goals and nine assists in 65 games for Beijing Guoan, trips to Beijing and, most importantly, his first chapters as a father. Trained at Benfica and formerly in the midfield of Rio Ave and Famalicão, the 28-year-old from Algarve was in conversation with the More football to reveal references and friendships, outstanding coaches and goals for the new year. Between March 2024 and December 2025, this creative helped Beijing's “Green Armada” reach fourth place in the championship – consecutively – in addition to winning the cup and competing in Asian Champions 2. In this three-part interview, Guga looks at his return to the League, where he emerged for Famalicão and established himself for Rio Ave, before accepting the invitation from Ricardo Soares – then helmsman of Beijing Guoan – at the beginning of 2024. Also read… Part II – «I've had annoying colleagues, but Pote is a brain-buster» Part III – Guga and being a father in Beijing: «We had to make a living and learn on our own» Maisfutebol: What are you looking for at the moment, now that the contract in China has ended? Spring: The choice will take family life into account, but I will continue to look for a club that provides financial and personal stability. I wanted to end the contract in China, since we were competing in the championship, Cup and Champions 2. It never crossed my mind to leave in the middle of the season. The contract has ended and I am analyzing several options. MF: Any emblems of the League? Spring: There are teams that know my situation. I have experience and there are clubs that approach it. I haven't decided yet. MF: In Beijing you worked with Ricardo Soares and Quique Sétien, former coach of Betis and Barcelona. What do you remember from these experiences? Spring: I am grateful to Mister Ricardo for the opportunity to take me to a big club in China, with a lot of media impact. I am grateful to him because he changed my career, improving my profile at a technical and tactical level. He's a great coach and a good person. As for Mister Quique, I knew his work in Spain and I always enjoyed watching his teams. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and I managed to adapt to his ideas, I really liked it. MF: What has changed at a technical and tactical level? Spring: I take more risks and am closer to offensive zones, because that was necessary in Beijing, which fights for victories and titles. In Portugal he could also do it, but he had more defensive and balancing tasks. I achieved good numbers in both seasons [dez golos e nove assistências em 65 jogos]. I improved offensively, especially when I reached the final third. MF: What remains of China? Spring: What surprised me most was the quality of life. We lived in Beijing. At first, the adaptation was demanding, especially because everything is processed online and via cell phone. Now it's even strange to return to Portugal. For example, this online experience, delivery and supermarket services, with cheap delivery fees, would be important, something out of the ordinary. After five minutes, everything was at the door. And I hardly carried my wallet, because everything can be paid with your cell phone. MF: In China are people “colder”? Spring: That's the least good part, they are emotionally different. For example, we won the Chinese Cup for the first time since 2018 [6 dezembro]but we celebrated on the pitch and it was over. It ended there. In a country like Portugal there would be another type of celebrations. I ended up getting used to it. MF: They certainly had time to walk around. What do you remember about the cultural and historical aspects of Beijing? Spring: We made a point of visiting historical places, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall or the Summer Palace. These are places that make an impact. MF: Pulling the strings back, why the nickname Guga? Spring: It started when I was very young, at 4 years old. My father really liked the tennis player Guga [o brasileiro Gustavo Kuerten, atualmente com 49 anos] and Gonçalo would be too big for the training shirt. Today almost no one knows me as Gonçalo. Advance to the second part of the interview with Guga Rodrigues.