João Costa: “Next year will be even tougher, but we'll be ready” | OneFootball

Defending the National Champion title “is not within the reach of just any team, but if there is a team that can do it, it is FC Porto.” In an interview with Sport TV, João Costa predicts a season “even more difficult than this one,” especially because “our rivals will prepare even better,” but he is confident that “the team will rise to the occasion.”

After “a unique celebration” through the streets of Invicta to mark the 31st national title, which he dedicated to Jorge Costa – “an idol, a Club legend” and “one of the people who pushed the hardest” for number 24 to return home – the 30-year-old goalkeeper recalled the “recognition from Diogo Costa” when he received the captain’s armband, a gesture that “deeply moved” him, and praised “one of the best goalkeepers in the world.” He also welcomed João Afonso, who “will be one more to help,” and assured that “the best is yet to come”: “If my message, my season and my purpose were fulfilled this year, next year will be even better.”

The title celebration again“I had already seen most of the images and it is always a special feeling. I think they were unique moments for everyone, special moments, and we never know when we will experience moments like these again. There were many hours of celebration, and I said they were unique moments because for us, as players, winning titles and witnessing moments like the ones we witnessed in this celebration is not within everyone’s reach, not every player gets to experience it. It was a unique celebration; I have also celebrated many titles as an FC Porto fan, and I do not remember a party this big, with as much meaning as this one.”

Special dedications“First of all, for my family, for my wife and my daughter, who are the ones I take the most time away from every day. I really dedicate a lot of time to being an outstanding professional, to being a top athlete and so, first of all, this title goes to them, then to all my family and, as an FC Porto fan, also to Jorge Costa, because personally he was also one of the people who pushed the hardest for me to come back here and had already tried to sign me more than once when he was a coach. I spent far too little time with him at our Club and he was someone who left a mark on me.”

Jorge Costa“As an FC Porto fan, to me he was an idol, a Club legend and someone I identified with as a Porto supporter. He was someone who carried FC Porto’s values at all times and since the irreparable loss we suffered, if there was one thing I tried in some way to do, it was to represent those values and pass on our DNA and our identity.”

The captain’s values“That was it, to pass on all the Club’s values, to be an outstanding professional, because that is what allows us to earn the respect of others. It is about being an example at all times, from being the first to arrive, always being ready to help everyone, always available to train a little more, to learn, listen and help others.”

The Porto family“I spent a lot of time with Bednarek, he was my table partner during training camps, and he often asked me what the matches would be like, how difficult the stadiums were, what each game meant for the Club; he also asked me about the Club’s history, we had many conversations about that. Today he is someone all Porto fans identify with, a true Porto supporter and a true leader on the pitch. I also spent all my time with Rodrigo Mora and I always tried to help him because of the season he had, because he came from being a major protagonist. I gave him as much affection as I could, we created a unique friendship and I am enormously proud to see the man he is. Alberto Costa as well, seeing the way he ended the season. I felt that at many moments I gave him an extra push and extra confidence. He is someone I care about a lot and, because of the way he ended the season, I also felt I had my share in his season. They are two friends I will also take with me for life and I felt I also played an important role in their season because of everything we experienced every day, at every moment.”

The first National Champion in every age group“Besides fulfilling several dreams, officially becoming champion and making my debut for the Club of my heart, I could say that I managed to turn things around, and that was what had the greatest meaning for me. Anyone who knows my story and followed it knows it was not always easy; at certain moments the easiest thing would have been to throw in the towel, and I never did. More than the dreams fulfilled, it is the message we pass on to people; I think that is the most important thing, and I think the message I pass on is that we should never give up on our dreams, that we should not throw in the towel.”

The minutes with the armband against Santa Clara“When we were crowned Champions with two matches still to play, I knew I was going to play. I did not know for how long, but I knew I would play. What I did not know was that I would have this moment with the captain’s armband. I found out on the spot. It was a surprise from our captain and for me it had even greater meaning, as a Porto supporter and as an outstanding professional, because for me a captain, first of all, has to serve with heart and soul, then has to be an example on and off the pitch in everything that implies, and also has to be able to lift others up, to help others become better people and players. And I think this act by Diogo, passing me the armband at that moment, sent the message that I really was that kind of person, and I think that carried even greater weight. I thanked Diogo for this moment and this recognition deeply moved me. I will carry it with me forever.”

An example for future generations“I think it was the happiest day of my life and of my career, because to me it was already special. Anything that meant being part of FC Porto’s history was already special, but being the only one, in a way, in something in FC Porto’s history is even more special. I think it is an achievement that is not within everyone’s reach, because it was unique and it will serve as an example, motivation and inspiration for all the young players who entered this home as early as I did. It is a legacy I will leave forever at FC Porto. It is a mark I will leave forever.”

Blue-and-white culture“I know most of the starting elevens, I would not say I know them all. I know, for example, the one from the 2011 Europa League final. I am that kind of person players can ask those kinds of things when they arrive.”

Diogo Costa“Diogo is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I have said it more than once. I have no doubt that the best clubs in the world may be interested in him, but the greatest proof Porto fans can have is how long he has already been here. I think he should follow what his heart tells him and, up to today, his heart has led him to stay here. So it is not for me to say whether Diogo should stay or not, but as a Porto supporter it is an enormous source of pride to have had him here for so many years, and I would encourage him to stay here for many more.”

João Afonso“I know him. As it happens, I had the chance to cross paths with him when I was speaking to journalists after the match. I congratulated him personally. I know he will be one more person to help and that he will be very proud to be part of the goalkeeping group he is going to find. I know he will leave this group a better goalkeeper and a better person after joining such a unique group.”

Insatiable ambition“I believe so. At least for me, as a professional and as a person, when I win something important, I want to do it again. As professionals, we always want to do it in a better way and I think that is also what makes us true champions. Knowing our team as I do, the unique way it works and the dedication it puts in every day in training and in matches... I think it is something that is not within the reach of just any team, but if there is a team that can do it, it is ours.”

Defending the title“I think we also have to look closely at our own example. Who would have said a year ago that we would be here today talking about FC Porto as National Champions and with the strength it has right now? So I do not see weakness in our rivals. I believe they will prepare even better, just as we did this season, and that only has to lead us to keep our guard up and maintain the ambition of wanting to be National Champions again. I think that is what drives us to always be at our best and I believe that is how it will be. I think it will be even more difficult than this year, because our rivals will prepare even better, but I am sure we will rise to the occasion.”

Wishes for 2026/27“João Costa always asks for more minutes. That is the same as every professional. Here we all want to play as much as possible, but I made Club history this year with the minutes I had, so of course I always want more minutes, but my continuity at the Club will not depend on having more or fewer minutes. I truly believe that the best is always yet to come. If my message, my season and my purpose were fulfilled this year, next year will be even better.”

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