FC Porto open to youth, Villas-Boas and Farioli back youngsters | OneFootball

A week ago, he was in Alvalade as an alternative for the derby - a game in which FC Porto defeated the two-time champion Sporting - and now he has another goal: to secure a place in Moreirense's starting eleven and accumulate minutes to establish himself in Portuguese football.

Vasco Sousa, 22 years old, one of the most promising midfielders of his generation, spoke to Maisfutebol about his recent departure from FC Porto, assuring that opportunities for young players still exist, recalled the influence of Jorge Costa and talked about the serious injury he suffered in February, which highlighted his recovery ability.

Maisfutebol - You debuted at FC Porto with Sérgio Conceição, had more opportunities with Vítor Bruno, went through Anselmi and now Farioli. What has changed at FC Porto from last season to this one?

Vasco Sousa - The mentality has remained intact. There was a change in game ideas with the new technical team, but the ambition and fighting spirit remain. FC Porto is a club focused on victories and winning titles, where players are always called to give their maximum on the field.

However, this season there are more options and this team shows a different pace. Does this new context make life difficult for young players like Vasco or, as a more media example, Rodrigo Mora?

FC Porto had a strong market and brought excellent reinforcements, but the door for young players remains open, whether through the B team or the juniors. Coach Farioli and President Villas-Boas highly value the training. I believe, therefore, that sooner or later the young players will have their opportunity.

Rodrigo Mora revealed, in an interview, that Jorge Costa said that Vasco was a Porto player. How important was Jorge Costa to you?

Jorge was an exemplary person. He was a "Porto man". He transmitted the correct values to us younger ones. I am very honored that he said that about me, considering the legacy he left at our club.

On February 16, 2025, you suffered a serious injury and played your last official game for FC Porto. What was your biggest fear after that game against Farense?

For the first time, I felt that something was really wrong. I had never had any problems, not even muscular ones. From the moment I felt the impact and the pain, I realized that I was facing the biggest challenge of my life - and I was willing to face it.

Did you ever think that your career could have ended there?

No. They told me that there was always a chance of recovery and I clung to that chance. I want to be an example for young people who go through similar situations, showing that any adversity can be overcome.

You overcame the injury in two and a half months, when the forecast was between four to six months. A mini-documentary about your recovery was even made, where a curious image appears replicating an exercise of the legendary Muhammad Ali underwater... Did you want to show this example of overcoming?

I strive to improve every day as a professional and, with the injury, this effort intensified. It was a collective work, with the technical team and the physiotherapists of FC Porto, and with the colleagues who gave me strength and motivation daily. I used this support as fuel to shorten the recovery process as much as possible and return to play with them as soon as possible.

Did the injury [fracture of the right leg fibula] change you or did you maintain the spirit of "better to break than to bend"?

If I go onto the field, it's to give everything fearlessly. Once the technical team declares me 100% fit, I will play without thinking about possible consequences. Those who go to war know the risks they expose themselves to...

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