Tiago Duarte, a 21-year-old right-back, celebrated a significant milestone by making his senior debut as a starter for Santa Clara in a Portuguese Cup match, expressing immense pride in the achievement.
Duarte featured prominently in the game against Sp. Espinho, a fixture which saw Santa Clara secure progression to the next phase of the cup competition. He previously spent two seasons honing his skills with the club’s U23 formation before his promotion to the senior squad.
“It’s a feeling of enormous pride to debut for the A-team, especially in a game where we secured passage to the next phase,” Duarte told the club’s media outlets. He highlighted the team’s collective and individual quality, noting how well he was received and integrated from the beginning.
He extended his gratitude, adding: “I want to thank all my teammates, the technical staff, and the administration for the trust placed in me.”