João Afonso earns his place at FC Porto in Farioli's pre-season | OneFootball

João Afonso was FC Porto’s first signing for the 2026/2027 season and arrived at the Dragão after a breakthrough campaign with Santa Clara, where he established himself as one of the Azorean side’s standout figures in the closing stretch of the league. The goalkeeper stood out for his consistency and the maturity he showed between the posts, playing a decisive role in several matches for the islanders, including against the Dragons, with crucial saves that helped secure important points.

At the start of pre-season, the under-20 international and winner of the most recent Toulon Tournament joined FC Porto’s main squad in an initial phase of direct assessment by Francesco Farioli. The Italian coach and the staff in charge of specific goalkeeper training want to take a close look at the keeper’s potential, as he is seen as a future option for the blue-and-white goal.

His adaptation to the new environment, moreover, has been smooth. From early on, João Afonso made a good impression at Olival and is described as a very professional player with a clearly defined career plan. The maturity he shows, combined with his ability to quickly absorb the coaching staff’s ideas, has made his integration into a demanding environment easier. His entry into the goalkeepers’ group has also been seamless, helped by the presence of more experienced figures such as Cláudio Ramos and João Costa, as well as by a competitive setting that supports his development.

The absence of Diogo Costa, who is on holiday after taking part in the 2026 World Cup, has opened the door for João Afonso to remain with the main squad at this early stage of pre-season. The Portugal international will not be part of the group travelling to England, where FC Porto will hold their training camp at St. George’s Park from Monday until the 18th.

In that scenario, and according to what our newspaper has learned, the group of goalkeepers that has been working at Olival — made up of Cláudio Ramos, João Costa, João Afonso and Gonçalo Ribeiro — is expected to travel to England, giving Farioli enough options for specific and more detailed work in the position. For João Afonso, this stage represents an important opportunity to establish himself within Porto’s structure, gain visibility with the coaching staff and speed up the process of adapting to a new competitive context. Even with the prospect of regular minutes in the B team, the young keeper is already beginning to take his first steps on a path that could, in the medium term, lead him to FC Porto’s main goal.

On the sidelines of the uncertainty over the future of Diogo Costa (see p. 21) after the World Cup, FC Porto’s plan for the goal remains clearly defined. The market may also turn its attention to Cláudio Ramos, who is particularly valued in Saudi Arabia, although no offers have been made to the SAD so far. João Afonso feels ready, but his growth will depend on time, consistency and performances with the B team, with steady and… unhurried steps.

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