Baía on Pinto da Costa: “He’ll be FC Porto’s next goalkeeper” | OneFootball

On the sidelines of the League Cup final, Vítor Baía recalled a decisive episode at the beginning of his long association with F.C. Porto and praised the vision of the then-president Pinto da Costa. The former goalkeeper highlighted the surprise of receiving a professional offer when he was not yet a starter in the youth team, emphasizing the crucial role of the president's direct observation.

Recollection of a decisive moment

“I was not a starter in the youth team, and I was astonished when the director told me that F.C. Porto wanted to sign a professional contract with me because the president had seen me play and was very impressed,” Baía recounted, highlighting the influence of that initial confidence on the career that followed. The narrative underscores the club's ability to identify talent and the impact an institutional decision can have on a player's trajectory.

In his memories, Baía valued the determination of the former president's leadership and the personal relationship that connected him to the club over the years. The memory of that commitment appears as an example of an internal policy that, on that occasion, prioritized direct observation and quick decision-making for the benefit of the team and the developing player.

Baía joined the board of the SAD during Pinto da Costa's tenure, taking on responsibilities in the club's management. This institutional experience reinforces the idea of a multifaceted relationship with the club, spanning both the sports and management realms.

Baía's journey in the managerial aspect ended after an electoral episode: he left the SAD board after losing the elections to the current president, André Villas‑Boas. This moment marks a personal and institutional transition, illustrating the natural changes in the club's leadership over time.

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