João Afonso earns his place in Farioli's FC Porto 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 stages of the league season. 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 latest Toulon Tournament joined FC Porto’s main squad, in an initial phase of direct assessment by Francesco Farioli. The Italian coach and the staff responsible for the goalkeepers’ specific training want to closely evaluate 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, being described as a very professional player with a clearly defined career plan. The maturity he has shown, combined with his ability to quickly absorb the coaching staff’s ideas, has made it easier for him to settle into a demanding environment. His integration into the group of goalkeepers has also been calm, benefiting from his closeness to more experienced figures such as Cláudio Ramos and João Costa, as well as from a competitive setting that favours 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 in 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 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 more specific and 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 goalkeeper is already beginning to take the first steps on a path that could, in the medium term, lead him to FC Porto’s first-choice goal.

Amid the uncertainty over the future of Diogo Costa (see page 21) after the World Cup, FC Porto’s plan for the goalkeeping position remains clear. The market may also turn its attention to Cláudio Ramos, who is particularly valued in Saudi Arabia, although no offers have yet been submitted to the SAD. João Afonso feels ready, but his growth will depend on time, consistency and his performances for 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.