Diogo Carrera knows what it takes to win big. The Benfica goalkeeper is the only player returning for the Portuguese U19 futsal team. This squad charmed everyone in 2023 with a brilliant run in Croatia. Now, two years have passed. His experience is deeper, but his drive to win remains just as strong.
Carrera, only 19, carries the captain’s armband with purpose. “I feel more responsibility now, and so does the team,” he shared. “We’ve been working hard for three weeks. Our motivation is high. We truly want to bring joy to our people.” It is clear his mind is focused on the task ahead.
Portugal is about to start its defense of the title. They will play in Group A. Their opponents include host nation Moldova, Ukraine, and Italy. Despite high expectations, the captain shrugs off any extra pressure. “There’s more responsibility because we want to win the title again,” Carrera admitted. “To do that, we just need to play our game.” He stressed how much he expects his teammates to fight for the emblem on their chests. “I want them to leave everything on the court,” he confessed. “They shouldn’t come home feeling they could have given more.”
The team, guided by coach José Luís Mendes, got a special test. They played a friendly match (1-4) against the senior national team. This happened during their preparation for the Euros. The tournament runs from September 28 to October 5. “It was an incredible experience,” the captain recalled. “On the other side were players we idolize. We used to watch them on TV and dream of being in their shoes. It was unforgettable.” Even amidst such serious preparation, there is always room for a bit of fun. When asked about the team’s locker room DJ, Carrera didn’t hesitate. He named Tchuda as the worst, joking, “He plays more funk, sertanejo… some really wild stuff.”
