João Afonso stakes his claim at FC Porto in Farioli's pre-season | OneFootball

João Afonso was FC Porto’s first signing for the 2026/2027 season and arrived at the Dragão after a breakthrough campaign with Santa Clara, where he established himself as one of the Azorean side’s standout players in the closing stages of the league season. The goalkeeper stood out for his consistency and the maturity he showed between the posts, playing a decisive role in several matches for the islanders, including against the Dragons, with crucial saves that helped secure important points.

At the start of pre-season, the under-20 international and winner of the most recent Toulon Tournament joined FC Porto’s main squad, in an initial phase of direct assessment by Francesco Farioli. The Italian coach and the staff responsible for the goalkeepers’ specialised training want to take a close look at the keeper’s potential, as he is seen as a future prospect for the blue-and-white goal.

His adaptation to the new environment, moreover, has been progressing naturally. From early on, João Afonso made a positive impression at Olival and is described as a very professional player with a clearly defined career plan. The maturity he shows, combined with his ability to quickly absorb the coaching staff’s ideas, has made it easier for him to settle into such a demanding environment. His integration into the goalkeeping group has also been smooth, helped by his closeness to more experienced figures such as Cláudio Ramos and João Costa, as well as by a competitive setting that supports his development.

The absence of Diogo Costa, who is on holiday after taking part in the 2026 World Cup, has opened the door for João Afonso to remain with the main squad during this initial phase of pre-season. The Portugal international will not be part of the group travelling to England, where FC Porto will hold its training camp at St George’s Park from Monday until the 18th.

In that scenario, and according to our newspaper, the group of goalkeepers who have been working at Olival — made up of Cláudio Ramos, João Costa, João Afonso and Gonçalo Ribeiro — are expected to travel to England, giving Farioli enough options for specific and more detailed work in the position. For João Afonso, this stage represents an important opportunity to establish himself within Porto’s structure, gain visibility with the coaching staff and speed up the process of adapting to a new competitive context. Even with the prospect of regular minutes in the B team, the young keeper is already taking the first steps on a path that could, in the medium term, lead him to FC Porto’s first-choice goal.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of Diogo Costa (see p. 21) after the World Cup, FC Porto’s plan for the goalkeeping position remains clear. The market may also turn its attention to Cláudio Ramos, whose stock is particularly high in Saudi Arabia, although no offers have yet been submitted to the SAD. João Afonso feels ready, but his growth will depend on time, consistency and performances with the B team, with steady and… unhurried steps.

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