The Portuguese giants have consistently punched above their weight financially on the European stage – and their prolific academy is a big reason why

Over the last decade, FC Porto have produced a pretty remarkable stream of young players that have either gone on to star in the first team at Estadio de Dragão or elsewhere. The city has always been a footballing hotbed and the Dragons have had consistent success hoovering up the very best players in the region.

For the past 10 years, New Balance has been with them every step of the way, first joining as a club partner in 2014. Recently, FC Porto announced that this fruitful relationship would be extended. The club is now a Global Partner of New Balance, signifying the sportswear giants' commitment to working with teams that align with their ethos and aim to challenge the status quo.

In addition, FC Porto's revered youth-team facilities at Campo da Constituição are also being renamed 'New Balance Park', with confirmation of that change set to be announced early next year. As part of their support of the next generation of football stars, New Balance has also signed sponsorship agreements with several of the club's youth team.

One youngster, Diogo, who GOAL met on a recent trip to the Dragão, could not help but smile when asked what it felt like to be a sponsored athlete at such a tender age.

"The main reason [for our steady stream of youth-team success stories] will always be the talent and the commitment to detecting and developing it. For us, having a partner like New Balance betting on our talents is a source of pride and a sign that we are doing good work," Pedro Albuquerque, head of FC Porto International, told GOAL.

Who knows? Perhaps one day Diogo will line up for the first team in Porto. If he does, he will be following in a long tradition of youth-team graduates who have made it all the way to the top.

GettyFabio Vieira

One such player is Fabio Vieira. Born a short distance from the city, Vieira was snapped up by FC Porto as a youngster and enjoyed a rapid rise through the age groups. He was part of the team that won a highly-competitive 2019 UEFA Youth League, even scoring the opening goal against Chelsea in the final. Conor Gallagher, Marc Guehi and Tariq Lamptey were among the young Blues who lost that game, proving how good that FC Porto side was.

Vieira soon broke into the first team and helped the Dragons win Primeira Liga titles in 2020 and 2022 before sealing a move to Arsenal.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesVitinha

Vitinha graduated into the FC Porto first team in 2020, vindicating his decision to turn down an approach from fierce rivals Benfica as a youngster. Premier League side Wolves were impressed by the midfielder and took him on loan for the 2020-21 season, though the move was not made permanent – much to the delight of Porto fans, some of whom wrote an open letter to the club urging them not to sell the prospect.

The supporters' faith in Vitinha was justified the following season as he became a mainstay of the Porto side that won the title in 2022, scooping the Primeira Liga's Young Player of the Year award. He earned a big move to Paris Saint-Germain the following summer.

Getty ImagesDiogo Dalot

Born in nearby Braga, Diogo Dalot resisted the pull of his hometown club and signed with FC Porto aged just nine. He helped his side clinch the league title in 2018 – albeit only making six appearances – while also starring in the UEFA Youth League.

Dalot would have no doubt gone on to become an icon at the Dragão, but Manchester United intervened, signing him in summer 2018. He's endured a mixed time since, but is now one of the club's longest-serving players. Dalot has also been capped 16 times by his country.

Getty ImagesRuben Neves

RubenNeves was recognised as one of Portugal's hottest talents at a very young age – and he was made in FC Porto. In 2014, he was named in the European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament and a few months later he was crowned the country's Young Prospect of the year.

By the time he departed the club for Wolves in 2014, he had racked up nearly 100 first-team appearances for the Dragons and already earned a senior international cap.

Neves' exit for the then-Championship club attracted headlines – but it probably paid off in the long run. Wolves romped to the title in his maiden campaign and he found no issue stepping up in the Premier League. These days, he is playing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.