Gonçalo Borges hails Farioli, backs Porto for the title | OneFootball

Gonçalo Borges calmly and confidently assessed his recent journey, commenting on his departure from FC Porto, his adaptation to Feyenoord, and the influence of the coaches he worked with, without hiding his pride in his Porto roots.

The winger fondly recalled the short pre-season period at FC Porto under the guidance of Francesco Farioli, highlighting the quick connection established with the Italian coach. Gonçalo noted that Farioli combines a keen understanding of the game with close and humane leadership, attributing much of the team's good form in the first half of the season to him, although he acknowledges that pre-season doesn't reveal everything and that the coach's ideas were only confirmed in a competitive context.

When faced with the possibility of regret for leaving the Dragão, he was direct: the decision is made and he doesn't look back. He admitted his strong affection for the club that shaped him and the personal ties he maintains, but considered it necessary to leave his comfort zone to progress. At Feyenoord, he notes a more pronounced evolution that meets the demands of his game and the moment of his career.

The transfer also brought significant financial return for FC Porto, something the player sees as natural. For Gonçalo, the true sense of mission accomplished comes mainly from the titles and achievements obtained at the club, even recognizing that he had fewer minutes on the field than he would have liked. Still, he understands that both parties benefited from the operation.

Regarding the title race, he believes that FC Porto has the conditions to become champions. He acknowledges the difficulty of the journey and the high competitiveness of the second half of the season, but emphasizes that there is an identity and competitive capacity that distinguish the Dragons from their opponents.

In terms of development, he highlighted the role of Sérgio Conceição in his competitive development, particularly in learning patience and transitioning from the Second to the First League. He also praised Vítor Bruno and Martín Anselmi, emphasizing that both worked in contexts of great instability and deserve greater recognition for their human and intellectual quality.

Off the field, Gonçalo maintains strong involvement with youth football and charitable initiatives. He explained that contact with children and young people helps him reconnect with his own childhood, with the aim of inspiring and conveying a clear message: regardless of ambitions in football, school should always be a priority.

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