Borja Sainz: Settling at Porto, friendship with Samu, 2026 dream | OneFootball

Borja Sainz spoke to Dragões magazine about the start of his journey at FC Porto and the support he has been receiving within the club, particularly from his compatriots. The Spanish reinforcement also assured that he is "100 percent focused on FC Porto", but admits to dreaming of representing the national team in next year's World Cup.

First impressions: “The Champions Leagues, of course. Not every club wins a Champions League. Many clubs with much more money would give everything to win this trophy. I think that's also why FC Porto is highly recognized.

Expectations: “I think the team is working very well and this was seen in these first games. This is the line to follow, because we are training better every day. We only think about one game at a time and not the future.”

Assists and goals: “They were happy moments and strong emotions, because, as I said, at the beginning it was a bit hard, I felt strange in the games and the confidence was not the same, because I was not yet integrated with my teammates and with the coach's ideas. When you're new to the team, it always takes a bit, but when you get into the dynamics it's very exciting, because you feel good and, when the team wins, you feel even better.”

Support from compatriots: “Yes, of course, I get along very well with them, but there is not a player with whom I do not speak. It's like this with everyone. I see a teammate who doesn't understand English speaking openly with another who doesn't understand Spanish as well and they make an effort so that we can all get along and thus be a family.”

Unity: “We are working very well, the coach knows what he wants from us and how to guide us, we are quite aware of this and, in addition, we are a family, there is no other way to explain it.”

Farioli: “He is very demanding as everyone can see, he likes to work, he has his technical team very well worked out, he transmits his ideas to us very clearly and everyone is very happy with him. I learned many things. I had been told that he was very good and that he liked to work a lot, but from the first day, when I spoke with him, I felt this confidence. I learn every day and I still want to learn a lot more. On a personal level, it is possible to see that the team always has a good attitude and, tactically, it is also noticeable that we have a well-coordinated squad.”

Defensive commitment: “The coach likes us to work a lot defensively, not just me, but the whole team. When I was little, and even when I made my debut as a senior, I had difficulties in this aspect, it was quite hard for me, but little by little I worked on it and now it doesn't bother me. Do fans value this? Yes, I end up noticing it when I'm on the field. I also do it because I know it's something that will be a help for my career, so I will continue like this.”

Atmosphere at Olival: “Everyone who has watched the games notices that the team is united and we want to continue like this daily because in this way we will achieve great feats.”

Samu: “I get along very well with Samu, I'm with him every day and I consider him, besides a great teammate, a great friend.”

European anxiety: “I want to return to England, I am curious to face an opponent from the English league with this team and representing this great club. It's this duel with Nottingham Forest that excites me the most.”

World Cup’2026: “Of course I would like to play in the World Cup, it's a dream, but for now I'm focused on working daily, which is the most important. If that moment comes, very well, but if it doesn't come I will continue to work so that one day it happens. Is the focus 100% on FC Porto? Yes, of course it is. When you do things well in your club, people see it. The most important thing is the day to day and I will continue like this.”

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