Leiria will have Minho's pronunciation this Saturday. If many expected that the final of the League Cup, played once again in the city on the Lis River, would be another displaced Eternal Derby, V. Guimarães and Sp. Braga contradicted expectations and produced an unprecedented final. The warriors had already won this competition three times, but the conquerors had never secured passage to the decisive duel. Maybe that's why, the game will be sold out. O More football spoke with two illustrious fans of the respective teams who will be at the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium and who “play” on the same team. Not exactly in sport. It's more in... politics. We talk about José Manuel Fernandes, Minister of Agriculture and the Seaand of Rui Armindo Freitas, Deputy Secretary of State for the Presidency and Immigration. Government colleagues, they will be the representatives of the Executive in the stadium, in the presidential box. The sobriety of the roles they perform will not allow them to wear the jersey of their respective clubs. However, a simple scarf will not be grounds for condemnation. It is not news that José Manuel Fernandes is a self-confessed supporter of Sp. Bragaor if it weren't for the computer engineer also being the former President of the club's General Assembly Board, alongside António Salvador. Born in Vila Verde, where he was mayor for the PSD, Fernandes praises his «very strong connection» to the club, «not just because he lives in the district of Braga», but because he has been a member «since always». «I played football, not professionally, but I loved playing. I would rather play than watch. If I could, I would go to all the National Team and Sp. Braga games. I'm not going to say it's an escape, I'd rather say it's a passion", says the former MEP. José Manuel Fernandes as President of the Board of the General Assembly of Sp. Braga «We have our preferences which, in this case, are antagonistic» Although in the same district, Vila Verde is 40 minutes away from the city of Guimarães, where Rui Armindo Freitas is from. The 42-year-old textile industry entrepreneur has been a partner at V. Guimarães since he was three. He rejects that today he is an “opponent” of José Manuel Fernandes. «We wear the same shirt, from the same country, except today. Today we will be contained, with this difference that you already know what it is. We have our preferences which, in this case, are antagonistic», jokes Armindo Freitas. «In Guimarães, we take football very seriously. First of all, because Vitória is a great institution. The people of Guimarães are known for being local and Vitória is one of the great flags of our territory. It represents a social and economic fabric that is quite representative of that entire region in Portugal», refers to the More football. In the city of Guimarães, it is rare to find a native who is not a Vitória fan, which differs from many other Portuguese cities. Rui argues that this is something organic: «In Guimarães, no other option is considered than Vitória. We are all free to choose, but we choose our land very freely. Being a free choice, it has even more value. Choosing Vitória is natural for anyone from Guimarães.” José Manuel Fernandes highlights the “sustainability” of Sp. Braga in recent years. «This is Sp. Braga's fourth final in five years. It's remarkable, especially with so many youngsters coming out of the club's Academy. We not only train players, but also coaches. There are many who had their birth there, so to speak,” recalls the Minister. Rui Armindo Freitas at the inauguration of the XXIV Constitutional Government “A lot of heat in the stands” is expected and... fair-play Government officials say that this unprecedented final is “a wake-up call” for a region that is competitive in terms of football, but not only that. As Rui Armindo Freitas says, it is the «pride of Minho». Speaking of competition, the two clubs have, historically, fervent masses of supporters which are not always compatible. The two leaders insist on the need for fair-play. «What is expected is a lot of heat coming from the stands, but also a fair-play huge, which greatly characterizes Vitória and other communities», says the Secretary of State. Fellow Minister agrees: «I expect a great game with a lot of crowd. That duels exist in the game rectangle. May all teams rise to the occasion of this unprecedented derby”, he reinforces. Often undervalued by fans and stakeholders of the 'big three', the League Cup is viewed by some with great pride. For these two clubs, today is a serious matter. «This League Cup, sometimes unloved, has an opportunity to lead to a kind of reconciliation between fans and this competition», believes José Manuel Fernandes. «Sometimes we forget that football is extremely important from an economic point of view» With these two examples, the penetration of sport in all sectors of society is illustrated - even on Campus XXI, the new headquarters of the Government. Even when we don't talk about the 'big three' that move crowds and social media armies, sport goes beyond that. «Sometimes we forget that football is extremely important from an economic point of view and represents around one percent of GDP. Furthermore, it helps the State Budget with the taxes it pays. But later, football is also an excellent ambassador for Portugal», recalls the Minister of Agriculture and the Sea. This is the stage for the League Cup final - Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium, in Leiria Both government officials do not work in the field of sport directly, but argue that the last two PSD Governments have invested in the sector. In the 2026 State Budget, 155.5 million euros were allocated to Youth and Sports. «There is great concern in terms of promoting sports, with a clear message that sport goes beyond competitive activities. Which must be fundamental in the life of our society and our communities», says Rui Armindo Freitas. «The Government valued sport from a perspective of inclusion. The participation of different ages and women is very important. The issue of health is also important. Under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, we have had this concern», also maintains José Manuel Fernandes. For 90 minutes (at least), neither government official will certainly think about their respective portfolios. Football is, as the emblematic coach Arrigo Sacchi once said, «the most important of the least important things». The beauty of the sport is celebrated today at the Dérbi do Minho... in Leiria.