“I’m a player who gives everything and leaves it all on the pitch” | OneFootball

Guilherme Borges is the new pivot for FC Porto’s handball team and could not be happier “to sign for a club of this size and to have the chance to play in the Champions League,” something that makes him feel “very fulfilled and eager to get started.” Convinced that “this is a big step in my career,” the 27-year-old Brazilian international describes himself as “a player with total commitment, fighting spirit, and one who leaves everything on the court”: “The fans will see a player who may make some mistakes, but who will never stop giving 100%.”

Excitement for the new challenge“I’m very happy, this is a big step in my career. Signing for a club the size of FC Porto and having the chance to play in the Champions League makes me very happy, fulfilled, and eager to get started.”

The conditions at Dragão Arena“The conditions the Club provides for its athletes are very important for us to be well prepared for matches. All of that impressed me, the atmosphere that can be created here, the facilities for the athletes... here I have everything I need to have a great season and to be well prepared for the big challenges.”

An immediate choice“When I found out about FC Porto’s interest, I did everything possible to come here. When a club of this size shows interest, we feel grateful and want it to happen straight away.”

Ambition in every competition“FC Porto immediately caught my attention and that was an important factor in my coming here. Of course, the Club’s project is also very important, just as it is important to fight for titles and to always be at the top. That was fundamental in bringing me here.”

Gratitude for the opportunity“Even though I had a contract with another team for this season, I did everything possible to come to FC Porto. My family also really liked the idea of living in Portugal, so we did everything to make it possible. Then FC Porto reached an agreement with the French team and with me. We all made an effort to make it happen, so all that’s left for me is to thank the Club and say that I’m very happy with this opportunity.”

How he defines himself“I’m a player with total commitment, with a lot of fighting spirit, and one who leaves everything on the court for the full 60 minutes. The fans will see a player with a lot of energy who may make some mistakes, but who will never stop giving 100%. I have my qualities, I know that, but my greatest quality is my commitment, my energy, and always giving everything at both ends of the court, both in defense and in attack. I hope to help the Club a lot with that energy and commitment.”

A pivot in service of the collective“I will work for the good of the team. Pivots have an important role within the team, but the most important thing is to work for the group in whatever is needed and whatever the coach asks for; all of that helps improve the team game. If I have to finish a match without scoring a single goal but help the team in other ways, then so be it, because the most important thing is for FC Porto to get as many wins as possible and fight to always be at the very top.”

Ready for the big challenges“Portuguese handball has grown a lot in recent years and that can be seen in international competitions. Portugal’s national team is one of the best in the world, and that says a lot about the Portuguese league, which has many young and promising players, but also more experienced and highly talented ones. I’m expecting a big challenge because I know the quality that exists here. At FC Porto we have the challenge of being the best team of all, so the demands will be very high, but we have to fight to bring joy to the fans and try to win titles, which is what matters when you represent a club as big as FC Porto.”

Experience gained abroad“In Spain I grew as a player; that’s where I took my first steps in European handball and where I learned a lot of tactical aspects. In France, since the league is very demanding physically, I also took a step forward in that regard. I can bring a bit of everything, and I hope I can help the whole team, because I’m arriving with big challenges at both national and European level. I hope I can contribute in every phase of the game, which is what matters most at FC Porto.”

Reunion with former teammates“I’ve already had the opportunity to play with Antonio Martínez and Miguel Oliveira at Ademar León, so they are two teammates I already know. I’ve also had the chance to play against some of the others and I know this Club has a very strong group of athletes who play at the highest level. It’s a strong, young group with a lot of ambition to achieve great things both nationally and in Europe.”

A decision without hesitation“When I spoke to them, they told me to come immediately. They spoke very highly of the Club, the structure, and the city. I only heard good things about Porto, both about the Club and the city. The most important thing was getting here; now that I’m here, I hope to help in the best way possible.”

On Carlos Martingo“I haven’t had the chance to speak with the coach yet. I know he has just taken over the team and is working on a new project, but I believe we’ll talk in the coming weeks, when he returns from the national team he is coaching. I believe he will bring good things to FC Porto and I hope I can help him this season.”

The other pivots“They are two very strong pivots. I’ve already seen Ricardo Brandão play for the national team; he is young, but he is very good and has a lot of quality. As for Daymaro Salina, there’s hardly anything to add; he is one of FC Porto’s big figures and is well known in international handball, so I hope to learn a lot from him. I’m sure we’ll make an interesting trio of pivots this season.”

Ambition for the season“Being here, the goal is always to win every competition we play in, whether it’s the league or the Cup. At European level, our ambition has to be to reach the next stage. We know we have a very difficult group, with great teams on the European stage, but I think we have to take it step by step. I already know it will be difficult, but we have to try, and you never know whether we might dream of big things this year.”

A message to the fans“I hope they will be with us throughout the season. We need the fans to give us strength in every match, whether in league games, the classics, or European nights. I hope they will be with us throughout our journey, because we need them to make this a great season. They can be sure that there will be a lot of commitment and a lot of desire to put FC Porto in the best place possible.”

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