Mário Figueiredo considered Palhinha to be an indispensable leadership figure for the Benfica squad. The midfielder was identified as someone who naturally assumes responsibilities within the team, even without formally holding the role of captain.
According to Mário Figueiredo, Palhinha will be a captain without the armband on the pitch. This definition aims to capture the natural influence the player exerts over his teammates, regardless of whether he is the team's standard-bearer or not.
The reference to the absence of the armband suggests that, in Mário Figueiredo's view, Palhinha's leadership is expressed through his posture and performance on the pitch, rather than through any formal symbol of command within the team's structure.
