Easter is synonymous with treats for many, but for parents of young athletes, it marks the start of a gruelling pilgrimage across Lisbon's often dilapidated sports facilities. While parents dream of their children becoming the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Luís Figo, the reality is a lack of municipal investment, with the city's sports budget for 2026 slashed by nearly half. With families covering the vast majority of costs and facilities in disrepair, the author argues that without better infrastructure, the next generation risks becoming 'armchair champions' rather than athletes.