Saturday's 1-0 win over Alverca sealed FC Porto's first Primeira Liga championship since 2022 and manager Francesco Farioli's first in his career.
During the post-game press conference, which was cut short after Porto players soaked their manager with two ice buckets, Farioli took his time to bask in the championship joy.
"It's very emotional, I'm very happy for everyone," Farioli said.
"For this group, for the group of people who work here, for Jorge Costa, for the president (André Villas-Boas), for the people who are here... Everyone deserved a title like this after a long time without one."
FC Porto were shocked by the tragic loss of technical director Jorge Costa, who suddenly passed away in August. Farioli said that Costa, who captained FC Porto to their UEFA Champions League win in 2004, helped them win the league title this season.
"Our strength this season was Jorge. One of the last things he said was 'we have a team again', and the squad fought to keep those last words alive. We did everything in our power, from the management to the pitch; everything helped us. The last two saves by Alberto (Costa) and Alan Varela are Jorge's DNA, and that was with us throughout the season. He's not physically with us, but he's in our thoughts and in our souls."
'This is a little bit for them'
Farioli endured a traumatic end to the 2024-25 season at Ajax, which squandered a double-digit lead in the final weeks and lost the title on one point to PSV on the final day. A visibly emotional Farioli thanked the fans after their 2-0 win over FC Twente, and left the club by mutual consent a day later.
On the day of his first title with Porto, Farioli couldn't forget Ajax and his time in Amsterdam.
"Football gives and takes away, I think we did something extraordinary at Ajax, unfortunately, it didn't end the way we wanted," said Farioli, who was popular within the Ajax squad and remains so to this day.
"I received several messages from my players from last season, from the board, and I think today a little bit of this achievement is for them."