Pione Sisto and the early career in Spain and Denmark
The footballer Pione Sisto is remembered for his rapid runs down the left flank, first with Vigo and later with Celtic, where his distinctive pace and dribbling caught the eye of fans and coaches alike. Born in South Sudan and raised in Denmark, he left Celta de Vigo in 2020 after four seasons wearing the light blue jersey. During his time with the club he appeared in more than 130 matches, a record that underscored his importance on the wing. By 2018, questions about his on‑field consistency began to arise, partly due to personal decisions and off‑the‑field events. Reports at the time highlighted unusual choices, such as following a fruit‑only diet for 21 days and returning to Denmark during the COVID‑19 quarantine without club authorization.
Sisto’s chapter with Celta concluded with a transfer to Midtjylland in the summer of 2020, returning to the Danish league—the club he first joined in 2016. In a separate update, a Portuguese publication indicated that Sisto owns significant land in Portugal, suggesting a private community with ambitions of independence. The report noted a plot of roughly 4.7 hectares associated with a movement seeking sovereignty within the neighboring country.
The movement reportedly operates under the name of the Kingdom of the Pineal. It is described as a community led by a British spiritual teacher and mentor, who is known by the name Água Akbal Pinheiro. The group’s stated goal is to live apart from mainstream society and to create a self‑sustaining way of life, isolated from the broader world. The land linked to this initiative is situated in Oliveira do Hospital, in a remote inland area, with the community described as largely inaccessible and fenced off from outsiders. Public authorities began an investigation into the group, with involvement from the Public Ministry, the Foreigners and Borders Service and the minors protection commission as part of their inquiries into the group’s activities and its claim to autonomy.
Access to the domain is challenging, as it sits along a quiet country road with few signs of civilization. The site has long been used as a farm and was once known as Quinta dos Sete Poços, now surrounded by fences and limited entry. Estimates of the group’s size vary, with some sources suggesting at least forty members and others pointing toward nearly a hundred individuals connected to the organization.
Kingdom of Pineal has drawn attention for its enigmatic leadership and its stated aim of establishing a sovereign state within Portugal. A notable figure associated with the movement, identified as Água Akbal Pinheiro, is reported to be a Zimbabwean‑born individual who relocated to the United Kingdom as a young adult. After a claimed deep spiritual experience, Pinheiro began sharing a philosophy online that centers on transformative concepts such as a forthcoming “grand reset,” which the group believes will culminate in 2033. Members of the Pineal Kingdom are described as preparing for a future in which they alone would endure the predicted upheaval and establish a new social order. In line with its long‑term goals, the movement emphasizes the creation of a self‑sufficient, ecologically oriented community that operates outside conventional state structures.