António Costa hails FC Porto coach: “Farioli changed my mindset” | OneFootball

FC Porto right-back Alberto Costa believes that coach Francesco Farioli “prepared him a lot for the future,” highlighting several aspects of the work done with the Italian coach during the 2025/26 season, which ended with the blue and whites winning the national title, the 31st in their history and the first since 2022.

“Beyond the mystique, he gave us a completely different mentality from what I was used to. I think you can see it in the matches, with us always pressing high, with the utmost ambition to win the ball back and go forward and attack the goal. As for me, I feel he prepared me a lot for the future, I feel I can play in any system, he prepared me very well,” said Alberto Costa, speaking to Maisfutebol on the pitch at the Estádio do Dragão, in the mixed zone after Saturday’s match against Santa Clara.

With a smile on his face for becoming champion with the “club of his heart,” the 22-year-old said this achievement represents “a childhood dream come true.” “I couldn’t ask for anything better in my life. It was God who guided me here, I have so much to be thankful for, I’m truly very happy,” he said, after speaking about the decision to return to Portugal to wear the FC Porto shirt, following his spell at Juventus after coming from Vitória.

“I think this [ed.: title and celebration] now speaks for itself. I think it was the right step, a step forward, and I’m very happy to be here,” he assured.

Martim Fernandes and next season with an eye on more titles

Alberto made 47 appearances, scored one goal and provided eight assists for FC Porto, playing in a position also occupied by Martim Fernandes, with both showing positive signs in the battle for a starting spot. “It was very good, we pushed each other, I feel we both improved a lot and you could see each one’s progress in the matches,” he said.

After winning the league title in 2025/26, Alberto is already aiming for even more ambitious goals in 2026/27. “To be champions again and win more titles,” he said, adding that next season will be difficult regardless of FC Porto going into it as champions. “I think FC Porto is always the team to beat, so it will be the same,” he concluded.

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