Under-17: Rodrigo Morais pens first professional contract | OneFootball

Rodrigo Morais will continue to wear the blue and white after signing the first professional contract of his career. Trained at Recreio Desportivo de Águeda and Casa do Benfica de Estarreja, the central defender, standing at 1.84 m, arrived at FC Porto in 2021/22 and has already represented the national under-15 team. This season he is part of the under-17 core led by José João.

Recognized Work"It's a very special day for me, this is a sign that the Club believes in me. It's a feeling of pride for me and my family, because I worked hard to get here. Training after training, game after game, I never gave up in the lowest moments and I am very happy to have signed the professional contract with FC Porto."

Brief Trajectory"I started playing football when I was four years old. I started my career, my short career, at Recreio Desportivo de Águeda. Then, after four years, I was hired by CB de Estarreja, and at 12 years old, FC Porto hired me. Since then I am here, very happy."

Always Evolving"It has been a journey of many learnings. I think that's the strongest word since I've been here. When I arrived nobody expected anything from me and I gradually asserted myself. Learnings are always part of life, but here they were very important. I learned a lot, both with my colleagues and with the staff."

Off the Field"I think I'm cheerful, I'm funny. Many colleagues might say I'm a bit annoying, but there's always a slightly annoying element within the group. I'm a very honest person and I'm always with a smile on my face."

On-field Profile"I'm very hardworking. When I'm in my work moment, I don't like jokes. It's all to the max, no jokes, with the focus only there. I consider myself a leader."

From the Front to the Rear"I started as a striker at Recreio Desportivo de Águeda and when I was hired for CB de Estarreja I was supposedly a midfielder, but then there was no defense, so I had to go to defense. From there I am central and I hope to always be central."

First Impressions at Dragão"I always wanted to experience a different environment, because I like intense training. In my previous club I didn't have these intense trainings, so when I arrived here I realized that the intensity is totally different. It's all to the max, always with a smile on my face. At first it was a bit difficult, but I adapted very quickly."

The Year in the Initiated"The under-15 year was a bit difficult for me, from the beginning to the middle. I worked to have more minutes, I always continued to work and believe and at the end of the season I already had those minutes I wanted so much. At the beginning of last season, in the under-16, I had high expectations and the first phase went very well. But then there were games that didn't go very well, both for me and for the team. It wasn't as easy a season as we idealized, but it served to learn."

Goals for 2025/26"I hope this year is a happy year and that in the end it brings many joys. I hope to learn a lot, because that is part of it and helps us to grow, but above all I hope that at the end of the season we can be very happy."

"My reference is Jorge Costa, for his leadership. He was an extraordinary leader and these examples are the ones I have to take with me for the rest of my life as a football player. My other references are Pepe and Sergio Ramos."

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