António Folha: Rodrigo Mora has only one footballing father, me

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Portal dos Dragões

·3 January 2026

António Folha: Rodrigo Mora has only one footballing father, me

António Folha, former coach of FC Porto’s B team, categorically stated that he considers himself the main person responsible for launching and initially developing Rodrigo Mora in professional football. In recent statements, Folha emphasized the decisive role he played in betting on the young player at a crucial stage of his development.

“There is only one ‘football father’ of Rodrigo Mora, me and no one else,” he said, without hesitation.

The coach recalled that it was during his time with the B team that he decided to give Rodrigo Mora space, confidence, and competitive minutes, at a time when the youngster was still seen as a work in progress. According to Folha, this decision was based on a clear conviction in the player’s talent, competitive maturity, and growth potential.

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Rodrigo Mora would go on to seize this opportunity, establishing himself as one of the club’s most promising youngsters and catching the attention of FC Porto’s main squad. For António Folha, the process is not just about the debut or minutes played, but about daily work involving guidance, demands, and mentoring.

“The launching of a player is not an isolated moment. It’s a process. And that process started with me, I can say it without fear. For me, it was as clear as day,” he reinforced.

Without downplaying the contribution of other coaches throughout the player’s journey, Folha made a point of highlighting that the first professional opportunity was his, proudly assuming this role in Rodrigo Mora’s career.

The statements reignite the usual debate in Portuguese football about the importance of B teams and the coaches who work away from the spotlight, but who have a decisive impact on the development and emergence of young talents.

António Folha, who coached the Dragons’ B team for six seasons, thus leaves a clear mark on the club’s recent history, claiming credit for launching a player who is now beginning to make a name for himself on the national stage.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.