Alberto Costa on the dragon spirit: “I’ve got FC Porto DNA” | OneFootball

Alberto Costa, FC Porto’s right-back, admitted the affection he feels for the club and the connection he has felt since childhood to 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 embraced the goal that has always been with him.

“My dream has always been to become champion with FC Porto. Winning the league with your boyhood club 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 the 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 started following the “beautiful game” regularly.

“My favourite player was Fredy Guarín. I even wanted to use 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 introverted, but he was one of the people who made me feel most at ease,” he said.

As for 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 their attitude on the pitch to the messages they pass on to us,” he said.

The defender also underlined the historical 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 link Danilo’s name with Alberto’s,” he said.

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

“It is my dream and goal to reach the senior national team, and I think FC Porto is the right club to get me there,” he concluded.

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