“My goal is to represent FC Porto to the highest standard” | OneFootball

“Being transferred to a club like FC Porto is a very important step” in João Afonso’s career, and he admits he feels “enormous pride” in wearing the blue and white. After signing a contract until 2031, the new number 50 describes himself as a “confident and calm” goalkeeper and says that “the goal is to represent FC Porto’s colors at the highest level, giving my best for the first team and the B team.” “I’ll wait for my opportunity, as I did at Santa Clara, so that I can seize it in the best way,” assured the 19-year-old, who sees Diogo Costa as his role model.

A dream come true“This means a lot to me, it’s an enormous source of pride. My last game for Santa Clara was at the Dragão Stadium, I felt the atmosphere created by the fans and thought, ‘I wish I could play here too.’ It’s very different, FC Porto is a club of a much greater dimension and it’s an honor to represent it.”

From the under-23s to the Primeira Liga“It was very emotional, everything happened very quickly. Not long ago I was playing in the under-23s, then the coach started trusting me more, I began to get minutes with the first team and, fortunately, things went well. Being transferred to a club like FC Porto is a very important step and obviously I’m going to give my all.”

His Primeira Liga debut“It was a very happy moment. Being able to play against CD Nacional at home, in the Azores, was very important to me, and all the fans treated me well. Playing in Porto was a unique feeling that I’ll keep with me forever. The atmosphere, the full stadium… it’s an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Diogo Costa, Cláudio Ramos and João Costa“It’s a bit strange, because not long ago I was playing against them and now I’ll be able to be with them. It’s very good, João Costa congratulated me and I congratulated him too, because I follow the work of FC Porto’s goalkeepers, the coach’s press conferences and the way they work. That’s what I’ve come here to do: work. Diogo Costa has always been my idol, so it’s really great to be with him at FC Porto.”

The first experience outside the Azores“I’ve always lived in the Azores, I was always with my friends, with my family, and I knew everyone, because there everyone knows each other. It will be good for me to grow as a person and as a man, and going through this challenge will be very important.”

A summary of his journey“I started at CD São Roque, a club from the island, and I was transferred to Santa Clara when I was 14. I started playing for the juniors, then there was a game where people from the first team were there and they liked what they saw from me, so they called me up to the first team. I had one or two training sessions, the board wanted me to be integrated into the main squad, but there was an issue with school and I had to alternate. That part was more difficult, but then I signed my professional contract and always worked with the first team. From then on everything happened very quickly, I played for the under-19s and under-23s, the academy began to improve, they were promoted to the National Championship and now they’re in the First Division. I kept waiting for my opportunity in the first team, because I was always training with the first team, and I worked as hard as I could to be ready and to be able to seize that opportunity. Now that I’ve signed for FC Porto, it still hasn’t fully sunk in.”

Self-portrait“I have a lot of faith in my work and I try to bring that into the game. I’m confident, calm, and I think I’m a good goalkeeper.”

Calm and confident“It’s very important for a goalkeeper to trust himself. The coaches helped me a lot, gave me a lot of confidence and, thank God, things have gone well.”

The life of a goalkeeper“The goalkeeper position is a bit unforgiving, but we always give our all so we can seize the opportunities.”

Clear goals“My goal is to represent FC Porto’s colors at the highest level, giving my best for the first team and the B team. I’ll wait for my opportunity, as I did at Santa Clara, so that I can seize it in the best way.”

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