Vítor Baía behind Diogo Costa's decision to keep No 99 | OneFootball

Diogo Costa will continue to wear the number 99 shirt in the 2026/27 season, thus dispelling any doubts about a possible switch to the historic number 2. The decision was made after André Villas-Boas challenged the goalkeeper to wear one of the most iconic numbers in FC Porto’s history.

There was never any real refusal on the part of the blue-and-white captain. The choice was based solely on a matter of principle and respect for the club’s legacy.

The number 2 shirt was immortalized by two of the greatest figures in the FC Porto universe, João Pinto and Jorge Costa, both captains and symbols of the club. It was precisely that historic significance that led Diogo Costa to decide to keep 99, a number that also carries strong symbolic weight for having been worn by Vítor Baía, another giant of the Dragons and the acknowledged idol of Porto’s current first-choice goalkeeper.

Diogo Costa believes that the number 2 should remain associated with João Pinto and Jorge Costa, considering that this legacy must be preserved. That was the position conveyed to Villas-Boas, who, although disappointed by the decision, naturally accepted and respected it.

Thus, at the team’s official presentation to the members, scheduled for this Saturday and concluding with a friendly against Aston Villa, Diogo Costa will once again be presented wearing the number 99 shirt. The goalkeeper will therefore keep the number that has been with him since his arrival in the first team and with which he has already starred in some of the most memorable moments of his career at FC Porto.

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