Pinto da Costa refuses to use future FC Porto academy as an electoral asset

The future FC Porto academy will never be an electoral asset for the Pinto da Costa’s re-candidacy to the presidency of the national football runners-up, the director recognized this Wednesday, in a session to present the model of the project.

“This academy has been a dream for many years and a promise for four years. It is ridiculous when people say that this should be postponed and that it is an electoral asset. No, this is an asset for FC Porto to be better and better in promotion and player training”, he pointed out.

The model of the work was explained at Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, two days after the Municipal Assembly of Maia ratified the sale for a base value of 3.36 million euros (ME) of 18 plots included in the Parque Metropolitano da Maia project. Maia, which has 140,625 square meters and is desired by FC Porto to build the academy.

“For years, the club has been looking for a project capable of serving its training ambitions. Finally, we reached this situation, especially because a lot of good will converged. Our administration contacted the Maia City Council more than two years ago, which understood the economic, image and social importance of a project of this size and which welcomed us with open arms”, explained SAD’s financial administrator, Fernando Gomes, who revealed that he was leaving that position at the end of his term.

On March 18, the executive of that municipality bordering Porto had already approved the majority of the land, which is located in the parishes of Nogueira e Silva Escura and São Pedro Fins, and the public auction was published in Diário da República on Tuesday. fair, which will be followed by a period of 20 days for the presentation of offers.

“It is very unlikely to be made unfeasible”

The project spreads over almost 23 hectares, of which 9.3 belongs to the company ABB, with which FC Porto awarded 6.89 ME for an “earthworks movement”, which is in progress and is preparing the land for the next stages of the project.

“This is very unlikely to be made unfeasible. There is a public auction by the Maia City Council to sell 13 hectares for a sports infrastructure project. I don’t think there is anyone who wants to bid for land just to harm FC Porto and the start of this operation and to keep half the land”, said Fernando Gomes.

The academy is in charge of architect Manuel Salgado, author of the Estádio do Dragão and Dragão Arena projects, who participated in the session with his counterpart Nuno Lourenço and estimated total costs of 40 ME, an amount that the administrator assumes is financed.

“Financing was obtained, which will allow us to pay the measurement documents on a monthly basis. In six years, this financing will be paid. We are calm in this sense”, he observed, admitting that the steps had “several vicissitudes”, but accelerated since Pinto da Costa defined the launch of the academy as one of the three conditions to run again for the ‘blue and white’ presidency in the next elections.

“For me, 2,566 titles is not enough”

In addition to the Casa do Dragão and a training center, the project includes a mini-stadium to host matches from the II League and youth levels, with around 2,500 covered seats, plus nine grass pitches of official size and one for football. of seven.

“For me, 2,566 titles is not enough. We have to win more and more and, for that, this project is fundamental. I am happy for the directors, coaches and young people, who give us so many titles in very precarious conditions. I hope that a new phase in which FC Porto continues to be a pioneer in training great athletes”, appealed the club’s top leader.

Holder of 15 consecutive terms and leader with the most titles and longevity in world football, Pinto de Costa will run for president of FC Porto with André Villas-Boas, former coach of the football team, and businessman Nuno Lobo, candidate defeated in 2020, in the club elections, which will take place on April 27, at Estádio do Dragão, in Porto.