Alberto Costa and the dragon identity: “I have FC Porto DNA” | OneFootball

Alberto Costa, FC Porto’s right-back, admitted the affection he feels for the club and the connection he has had since childhood with the values the badge represents.

At 22, the player joined the Dragons this season and, so far, has made 37 appearances and provided six assists. At his “boyhood club,” the youngster spoke about the goal that has always been with him.

“My dream has always been to become champion with FC Porto. Winning the league with the club of your heart is the dream of any kid in Portugal. When I was younger, I didn’t know the Aliados, but now I hope to end up there,” he said in an interview with FC Porto’s official platforms.

“My first memories of FC Porto are of going to the café to watch matches with my grandfather. I have the club’s DNA. I really identify with these roots,” he added.

Born in 2003, Alberto also recalled the main figures he admired when he began following the “beautiful game” regularly.

“My favourite player was Fredy Guarín. I even wanted to have his name on my shirt [when I played for Tirsense]. Hulk was also an idol, because he had won everything at that time [around 2011]. But my biggest reference, also because of the position, was always Danilo,” he revealed.

“In my first training sessions with Vitória SC B, the assistant coach even called me Danilo. I feel there are some similarities in the way we play. When I crossed paths with him at Juventus, it was incredible. I was shy, but he was one of the ones who made me feel most at ease,” he said.

Regarding the current blue-and-white squad, Alberto highlighted the examples in front of him and the importance of the more experienced players in the team’s good form.

“You can learn every day from players like Thiago Silva and Jan Bednarek. From the way they carry themselves on the pitch to the messages they pass on to us,” he said.

The defender also underlined the historic weight of the position he occupies on the pitch for FC Porto, but dismissed any idea of extra pressure.

“Playing in a position where several historic names have already played [such as João Pinto, Paulo Ferreira or Danilo] does not work as extra pressure, but rather as motivation. I want to write my own story so that, in a few years, they can add the name Alberto to Danilo,” he said.

With four caps for Portugal’s youth teams, the Santo Tirso native set his sights on the highest level, under Roberto Martínez.

“My dream and objective is to reach the senior national team, and I think FC Porto is the right club to get there,” he concluded.

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