Francisco Conceicao: ‘I am one of the best in the world in my role’ | OneFootball

Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao insists he is ‘one of the best in the world in my role’ and reveals he enjoys winning tackles as much as scoring goals. ‘It’s what my father taught me when I was a kid.’

The winger is the son of former Lazio, Parma and Inter player Sergio Conceicao, who also came to Serie A as a coach with Milan.

The 23-year-old was given his start in senior football by his father at FC Porto, and admits there were some difficulties as well as benefits from his family history.

Conceicao hails from football family

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus celebrates their first goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“My father tells me to play with passion, to enjoy my football, try to make the difference with my characteristics,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I also like to defend and win tackles, because these are the things my father taught me when I was a kid, that winning a tackle can be just as important as an assist or a goal. It gives me joy, just like dribbling or scoring a goal. I try to win duels to help the team.

“I learned so much from my father because he is a great coach, he showed me where I had to improve, and if I am here today, it’s because he helped me grow.”

epa12012425 AC Milan’s head coach Sergio Conceicao reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 05 April 2025. EPA-EFE/Daniel Dal Zennaro

Having your Dad as your first coach also has its downsides, especially when you are a teenager.

“It was also a struggle, because when you are 18 years old, it hurts to hear people say you only play because the coach is your Dad. It made me stronger mentally and allowed me to get mature quickly.

“Everyone knew I was Sergio Conceicao’s son, but they could also see I was playing because I had quality, not just because I was his son. I did really well in the first team right from the start.

“My father is very severe, both at home and in football, but more so at work, because there is so much responsibility. At home, he hugs you more. He’s very demanding at work, when I was at Porto he would weigh us every day and if I was 100g over, he’d tell me to eat less today.”

VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Francisco Conceicao is certainly not lacking in confidence, even after a not particularly impressive tally of four goals and five assists in 42 competitive games for Juventus this season.

“Nobody is able to dribble past someone, until someone does. My mentality is that I have no fear, I will try to prove myself, and believe I am one of the best players in the world in my role.”

Conceicao has been criticised for not scoring many goals and admits it is more mental than about technique.

“I know that I have to improve my shooting, but it is something I can do, it’s mainly about staying calm in that moment, so I’m working on it with the staff. I believe that I have the quality to score many goals.”