André Castro: "FC Porto will keep growing with help from these players" | OneFootball

The newly integrated youth players at FC Porto took part in a welcome session at the Museum, where they were introduced to “the culture, passion, and ambition” that “set this Club apart from the others.”

André Castro and José Tavares led the initiative to “convey what this badge means” to the newcomers. The former captain and current assistant coach of the B team aimed to “leave a message of hope” and assured that “doing good pays off,” while the head of youth development used the example of “Rodrigo Mora, Diogo Costa and Martim Fernandes” so that “these young players understand that their dreams can become reality.”

At the end of the afternoon, after a guided tour of the FC Porto Museum and Estádio do Dragão, defender Matteo Ferreira admitted he had learned “much more about a Club that is even bigger than I imagined,” and forward Afonso Vieira emphasized the need to “work every day to the limit” in order to become part of the “history of FC Porto.”

Matteo Ferreira, U16“I discovered much more about the Club and ended up realizing that it is even bigger than I thought. I feel immense pride to be at one of the best clubs in the world and to be able to wear the colors of FC Porto. It’s always good to have a legend like Castro explaining to us how he worked to reach that level. All that’s left for us is to apply what he taught us and keep working to reach where he got.”

Afonso Vieira, U17“It’s always very good to learn about the history and values of FC Porto with the help of Castro, a former player who spent many years here and knows very well what it means to be Porto. He helped us get to know a bit of the history of this great Club and told us what it takes to be a true Porto player. We have to work every day to the limit; it’s not enough to just be talented, especially since we all have talent.”

André Castro“I tried to leave a message of hope, but it’s not in a day, nor in an hour, that we can convey what this Club means. I know that many of them are living a dream, and it’s very good that the Club creates these kinds of initiatives, because it’s with the help of these athletes that FC Porto will continue to grow. For that, they have to give their all every day. In this Club, doing good pays off, and that was the message I left them.”

José Tavares“Being part of FC Porto means being part of something very special, one of the best clubs in the world, filled with titles, history, culture, and mystique. We made a point of showing the new players what sets this Club apart from the others, which is our culture, passion, and ambition. We know the beginning can be tough, and that’s why we want to support them, so they understand that their dreams are ours too. Rodrigo Mora, Diogo Costa, and Martim Fernandes were also once 12 years old and had the same dreams, but they had to work with enormous commitment to make them come true. These young players can achieve them too, and we hope that one day they can also be an example in these welcome sessions.”

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