Gilberto Duarte: Delighted to return, it means so much to me | OneFootball

Gilberto Duarte returns to FC Porto to strengthen the handball team, a club with which he won the national heptachampionship between 2008 and 2015. Living “a fantastic experience,” the Portuguese international assures that “the desire is always at its highest” and that “the motivation is all there to start working seriously and help the team achieve its goals” with “the same mentality to win and fight until the end.”

The 35-year-old left back says he is committed to building “a new story” at Dragão Arena, reminding that the focus is always on the present and what is yet to be achieved: “The goal will always be to play game by game, title by title. We want to win the next game and win the next title. That’s the objective, to give our all to achieve the Club’s goals. What’s in the past is history, a very beautiful history, but now we have to think about the present and the future.”

First impressions“It’s been a fantastic experience, I’m still trying to manage my emotions and take everything in. These first days have been spectacular.”

Maximum motivation“The desire is always at its highest, I have a lot of motivation to help the team no matter which club I’m at, but at FC Porto even more so. The motivation is all there to start working seriously and help the team achieve its goals.”

A pillar in defenseAt this stage of his career, Duarte explains that his role has evolved: he focuses more on the defensive process and on carrying the ball in counterattacks. “I’m a totally different player from what I was ten years ago, but I fully believe I’ll be able to help, especially in defense, trying to contribute to the team’s energy.”

The first spell“Those years helped me a lot in the clubs I represented outside Portugal with the same mentality of winning and fighting until the end. They taught me never to give up and to carry enormous strength in every country and city I passed through.”

Seven consecutive titlesHe fondly recalls the last title and gives an emotional assessment of his return: “They all marked me, especially the last one. When you get to the end of your career, you start thinking about the places you’ve been with great happiness and the many good memories I collected here have been coming to the surface. Having the opportunity to return to this home is spectacular. I still can’t put into words what it means to me.”

The Hepta years“We never thought we would break records, we thought championship by championship and each year that passed the opponents wanted to win even more. We had to maintain a very high level to be able to do something like that.”

Favorite goals“It’s difficult, it’s difficult, especially since now it’s not so much my role. It’s hard to think of a more or less important goal.”

Voice of experience“At the time I had a few role models and, if this time my role is to be that, I’ll be here to help with all my heart. I’ll give my all and help in whatever is asked of me.”

International careerDuarte highlights the lessons learned at clubs like Wisla Plock, Barça, Montpellier, Goppingen, AIX, and AEK, considering them decisive for his personal and sporting growth. “They were valuable experiences, because I had access to various sporting cultures, and as a person they made me grow on many levels. I believe all that knowledge and all those experiences I lived are an added value at this moment.”

Facing FC Porto“It was complicated, you have to be professional on the field and always give your all. I remember seeing my sister jumping in the stands and telling her ‘please, calm down.’ I wanted to leave the field, but I couldn’t, I had to go back to greet my opponents. It was hard to manage, but in those 60 minutes we have to be professionals and I gave everything I had, as I learned at the Club.”

Commitment until the end“Until the end of my career, whenever I step onto the field it’s to give 100%. The day that doesn’t happen, the day I lose the will, will be the day I end my career.”

The number 90He explains his choice of jersey number: 5 was taken, so he opted for 90, the number he used in France and which identifies the 1990 generation. “Number 5 is already being used and 90 was the number I used in France, which represents the 1990 generation. It makes more sense to use it now, because it’s a new story. It’s not a continuation, it’s a new story. I’m a new player, so it’s marked with a new number. But the ambition is always the same.”

The support of the fansHe thanks the affection felt during visits to the city and promises total dedication: “First of all, I want to thank all the support I felt whenever I visited the city. I was always very well received and many times I heard words that made me happy to know I had done a good job or left a good impression. Secondly, I can promise effort, hard work, and motivation until the end. I really missed home.”

Return to Dragão ArenaHe shows enthusiasm for his debut with the FC Porto jersey at home: “I remember at the time I felt a great honor and pleasure. Right now, I feel enormous anxiety to start, to wear the jersey for the first time, and huge motivation to keep working. To show that there’s still more to give. Only in the first game, when I step onto the home court, will I be able to put it into words.”

Reunion with Daymaro Salina“I’ve already talked to him about it and it’s funny, because I’ve been around the world and I can still find people I know well and who are lifelong friends. I’m very happy to find him here.”

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