Diogo Costa turns down AVB, FC Porto’s No 2 stays vacant | OneFootball

Estádio do Dragão will host FC Porto’s presentation match to members and fans this Saturday, from 8:00pm (mainland Portugal time), against Aston Villa. Among the most eagerly awaited players is Diogo Costa, who recently returned from holiday after representing Portugal at the World Cup.

The Portuguese international is expected to be the last player in the squad coached by Italian manager Francesco Farioli to be called onto the pitch. The decision is linked not only to the fact that he is the captain and the group’s biggest name, but also because, according to this Saturday’s edition of O Jogo, he will continue to wear the number 99 shirt.

Last Friday, the goalkeeper personally informed president André Villas-Boas that he had chosen to turn down the challenge publicly issued by the club official on 13 May, a few days after winning the national title, during a dinner attended by club supporters at the Assembly of the Republic.

“I challenged him, and I hope he accepts, to wear FC Porto’s number 2 shirt next year. For us, it would be a huge honour,” said the top figure of the blue-and-white club at the time, recalling that the number was worn by some of the greatest figures in the club’s history, including Jorge Costa and João Pinto.

“For that to happen, he has to be at FC Porto, and that is my wish. We all want to keep Diogo with us for a few more years,” he added to reporters, in a reference to the interest the Portuguese international — who renewed his contract less than a year ago until 2030 — has attracted from some of the biggest clubs in European football.

Diogo Costa considered the proposal, but decided to remain linked to the number 99. The goalkeeper justified the choice with the special meaning of the shirt number, used by his idol Vítor Baía, and also by the fact that it has been the number he has worn since being promoted to the first team by Sérgio Conceição in the 2020/21 season.

The same publication adds that André Villas-Boas understood the arguments presented by the goalkeeper. It should be remembered that the player only wears another shirt number, in this case number 1, when representing Portugal’s senior national team. As such, the number 2 shirt will remain without an owner for now.

Diogo Costa’s decision unrelated to the transfer market

Diogo Costa’s choice is not, however, related to a possible departure from FC Porto. The goalkeeper’s future has been the subject of speculation due to the alleged interest of clubs such as Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, a situation that recently prompted an amusing remark from Francesco Farioli on the sidelines of pre-season work.

“We know how good he is, it is no surprise at all, but he is our captain, he will be our captain. I spoke to him a few days ago, he was focused on the national team at the World Cup, now he will have a few days to recharge his batteries and freshen up, then come back and help us next season,” he began.

“I don’t want my words to attract the interest of other clubs, only to say that hopefully he comes back soon. FC Porto is his home. I always wish him the best for his career, but hopefully his career will be here with us at FC Porto (…). He will be back within a few days and then we will shut the airport and the road,” he concluded, laughing.

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