Diogo Costa turns down AVB challenge, FC Porto No 2 stays vacant | OneFootball

Estádio do Dragão will host FC Porto’s presentation match for members and fans this Saturday, starting at 8:00 p.m. (mainland Portugal time), against Aston Villa. Among the most eagerly awaited players is Diogo Costa, who recently returned from holiday after representing Portugal at the World Cup.

The Portuguese international is expected to be the last player in the squad coached by Italian manager Francesco Farioli to be called onto the pitch. The decision is linked not only to the fact that he is the captain and the biggest name in the group, but also because, according to this Saturday’s edition of O Jogo, he will continue to wear the number 99 shirt.

Last Friday, the goalkeeper personally informed president André Villas-Boas that he had chosen to turn down the challenge publicly issued by the club official on May 13, a few days after winning the national title, during a dinner that brought together club supporters at the Assembly of the Republic.

“I gave him a challenge, which I hope he accepts: next year, to wear FC Porto’s number 2 shirt. For us, it would be a tremendous honor,” said the top figure of the blue-and-white club on that occasion, recalling that the number was worn by some of the greatest figures in the club’s history, including Jorge Costa and João Pinto.

“For that to happen, he has to be at FC Porto, and that is my wish. We all want to keep Diogo with us for a few more years,” he added to journalists, alluding to the interest the Portuguese international—who renewed his contract less than a year ago until 2030—has attracted from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Diogo Costa considered the proposal but decided to remain linked to the number 99. The goalkeeper justified the choice with the special meaning of the squad number, worn by his idol Vítor Baía, and also with the fact that it has been his number ever since he was promoted to the first team in the 2020/21 season by Sérgio Conceição.

The same publication adds that André Villas-Boas understood the arguments presented by the goalkeeper. It should be remembered that the player only wears another squad number, in this case number 1, when representing Portugal’s senior national team. As such, the number 2 shirt will remain unassigned for now.

Diogo Costa’s decision unrelated to the transfer market

Diogo Costa’s choice is not, however, related to a possible departure from FC Porto. The goalkeeper’s future has been the subject of speculation due to alleged interest from clubs such as Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, a situation that recently prompted a curious remark from Francesco Farioli on the sidelines of pre-season work.

“We know how good he is, so it’s not a surprise at all, but he is our captain, he will be our captain. I spoke with him a few days ago, he was focused on the national team at the World Cup, and now he’ll have a few days to recharge and refresh before coming back to help us next season,” he began.

“I don’t want my words to attract the interest of other clubs, only to say that hopefully he comes back soon. FC Porto is his home. I always wish him the best for his career, but hopefully his career is here with us at FC Porto (…). He’ll be back in a few days and then we’ll close the airport and the road,” he concluded, laughing.

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