Rodrigo Mora backs FC Porto: “It’s going well, bring on title No 2” | OneFootball

Rodrigo Mora, Roma’s attacking midfielder, looked back in an interview with Canal 11 on his departure from FC Porto and his first steps in Italy. The young Portuguese spoke about adapting, Dybala’s impact, and his desire to score at the Olimpico, without hiding his bond with the Dragons. From afar, he continues to support his former club and assured: “It will always be my home.”

After 19 years living in Porto and ten representing FC Porto, Rodrigo Mora embraced a new challenge in the summer transfer window. He has made five appearances and scored one goal for Roma, but the change of country and culture has neither erased his roots nor curbed his ambition.

The move to Italy brought a different reality, openly demanding, but one he has faced with enthusiasm. Between the memory of his journey in Porto and the discovery of a new setting, Mora showed himself convinced he made the right choice.

“It was a different change. I spent 19 years living in Porto and 10 playing for FC Porto. It’s a different culture,” he admitted. “But I’m happy with the move. It’s going to be a good move.”

Adaptation, then, is still a process in progress, but already accompanied by one certainty: the young attacking midfielder is happy with his choice and looks ahead without hesitation.

His first goal for Roma has already come, although one very particular wish remains. Mora wants to score at the Olimpico and feel, on the pitch, the power of an atmosphere that impressed him.

“Scoring on my debut for Roma? I really like scoring goals. Being able to score for Roma was something beautiful, but I still want to score at the Olimpico. It’s special and I’m waiting to score a goal at the Olimpico,” he said. “I’m happy with my journey so far. The atmosphere at the Olimpico is something very special and beautiful, and it really makes you want to play and score for Roma.”

More than a statistical target, the goal at home appears in his words as a symbolic moment: the full confirmation of this new chapter in front of the Roma fans.

In that process of settling in, Dybala has played a key role. Mora went from watching from afar a player he admired as a child to sharing training sessions and matches with him.

“He’s someone you watched as a child, and now to be able to play and train beside him… to see the things he does, that few can do… He’s a humble person and he helped me a lot in this early period at Roma,” he praised. “I like him as a player and as a person. I’m grateful to be able to play alongside him.”

The admiration is not limited to talent. The Portuguese player also highlighted Dybala’s human side and the help he received in his first days at Roma.

When his thoughts turned back to FC Porto, the tone became more emotional. Mora admitted the difficulty of saying goodbye, recalled that he left as a champion, and reaffirmed that he will continue following the Dragons from Italy.

“Farewells are never easy. It was difficult. It was a long time, it was my home. It will always be my home. Every cycle comes to an end, and others may open later,” he confessed. “I leave with a full heart, I was a champion with my club. I leave as a champion and I will continue to be just another Porto supporter, now cheering from Italy. I wish them the best of luck. I know things are going well, may it continue that way and may the back-to-back title come.”

The departure closed a long chapter, but it did not break the bond. Mora speaks like someone who left in search of growth without leaving behind his Porto identity — and he even admits that their paths may cross again.

The need for a new challenge weighed heavily in the decision to join Roma. The competitiveness of Italian football and the desire to improve now underpin immediate goals, from having a good season to winning titles.

“I knew I needed a new challenge in my life. I’m grateful for all these years, but it was what I wanted, a new challenge in a competitive league like the Italian one. Dreams? Football changes everything very quickly. Right now, I want to have a good season at Roma. I made my Champions League debut, it was an important step,” he explained. “I hope to win titles at Roma and play the best football possible. We’re in a good moment, but it’s a very competitive league. We’re on the right path.”

His words remain grounded in the present: Mora recognizes the demands of the league and avoids looking too far ahead, focusing on establishing himself at Roma and on the possibility of turning this good spell into silverware.

There is also a bigger goal on the horizon: returning to the senior national team. After two call-ups disrupted by injuries, the attacking midfielder believes the opportunity will eventually come through hard work.

“It’s everyone’s dream. I’ve already been called up twice, but I got injured. It’s part of it, we have the dream,” he admitted. “Step by step, and by continuing to work, it will come one day.”

The formula is the same one that runs through this whole new chapter: patience, ambition, and consistency. Between Roma, the Olimpico, and the national team, Mora prefers to move forward without skipping steps.

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