FC Porto’s Gonçalo Sousa Receives Late Europa League Call-Up Amid Injury Concerns

A series of events unfolded this Wednesday at the CTFD Jorge Costa, FC Porto’s training center, leading to a late roster change for the Europa League round of 16. André Miranda, an 18-year-old winger recently integrated into the first team, suffered a left thigh muscle injury during a training session, jeopardizing his availability for the upcoming match against Stuttgart.

Injury and Roster Adjustments

With Oskar Pietuszewski already excluded from the Europa League knockout stage due to registration limits, manager Francesco Farioli faced limited options for the attacking positions. To compensate for Miranda’s injury, Farioli opted to include Tiago Andrade, who also trains with the main squad, and requested Gonçalo Sousa from the B team.

Surprise Call-Up for Gonçalo Sousa

Gonçalo Sousa, a 19-year-old forward, was unexpectedly called up to join the first team delegation traveling to Stuttgart. He was informed of his inclusion at the conclusion of the B team’s training session, immediately joining the main squad. Sousa is registered for the UEFA Europa League via List B, allowing him to be eligible for selection in Thursday’s first leg.

Recent Form and Previous Experience

Sousa has been a key contributor to FC Porto B’s recent resurgence in League 2, scoring three goals and providing three assists in the last six games. He has also previously featured for the first team, making his debut in May 2024 during a 3-1 victory over Chaves, brought on by Sérgio Conceição in the 83rd minute.

CTFD Jorge Costa: A Center of Remembrance

The events unfolded at the CTFD Jorge Costa, the recently renamed training center dedicated to the memory of the former FC Porto captain Jorge Costa. The renaming ceremony, led by president André Villas-Boas, took place on October 14, 2025, on what would have been Costa’s 54th birthday. Villas-Boas spoke emotionally about Costa’s legacy and impact on the club.