Last week, the Portugal Football Summit buzzed with activity. FC Porto president André Villas-Boas found himself speaking with several international news outlets, including some from Saudi Arabia. These talks, only now made public, offered a rare peek into the strategic mind of a football leader. One big topic on his mind was the signing of Gabri Veiga from Al-Ahli Jeddah. Villas-Boas made it clear: if Veiga had stayed with Celta de Vigo, bringing him to Porto would have been impossible.
A Talent Too Big, Then Just Right
Villas-Boas didn’t mince words about Veiga. “Gabri Veiga was a fantastic signing for us,” he stated. “The Gabri Veiga playing for Celta de Vigo would never have come to FC Porto.” He went on to describe Veiga as one of European football’s truly special young talents, both back then and still today. Veiga made a bold choice, moving to Saudi Arabia at a young age. He made a real mark there, helping his team win titles and adding his share of goals and assists. Porto played a long game to get him. “We worked on his signing for a long time, for a year,” Villas-Boas explained. “We spoke with his agent, and we also had to convince the player that FC Porto’s project was a good fit for him. In the end, we got him.”
Finding Gold in New Places
This signing isn’t just about one player. It sets a new path for how clubs like FC Porto might find their next stars. It’s a signal that the club is watching young European players who choose to play in Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia is attracting many talented young players,” Villas-Boas noted, mentioning names like Roger and Wesley as examples. He believes this new market offers unique chances. FC Porto keeps a close eye on these talents. Many of them, after gaining financial stability, might want to return to Europe’s top leagues. “We understand this market could be very interesting,” he concluded, “and that’s exactly why we signed Gabri Veiga.” It seems the hunt for talent now takes an unexpected turn, proving that football strategy is always changing.