Alberto Costa: From Portuguese Obscurity to the Land of Italian Giants

Portuguese football is one of the most revered constitutions in the game, boasting a decorated history from a third-placed World Cup finish in 1966 to recent successes in the 2016 UEFA European Championships and 2019 Nations League. A starring cast of elite players has contributed throughout this period, from the marvel of Eusebio to the modern brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and the many spectacular names in between.

However, numerous unsung heroes have climbed the ranks to cultivate admirable careers while becoming regular household names. Some you know well, while others have sailed by without as much as a glance. Today, many Portuguese players make their mark on the game, from the elite ‘Big Five’ to the minnows starring gleefully upward.

Nonetheless, the remarkable story of one particular individual is occurring before our eyes, and his rise from obscurity to the hallowed grass of Turin has captivated a new generation of football romantics.

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For those unaware, I am referencing Alberto Costa: a 21-year-old wingback who competed in the third tier of Portugal’s football pyramid less than two years ago before sealing a €13.8 million deal with Juventus in January 2025.

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Born in the small city of Santo Tirso in 2003, Costa, like many in the Porto metropolitan area, was introduced to football early and entered the Vitoria de Guimaraes academy at ten years of age. The 2012-13 Taca de Portugal winners possess a proud tradition of nurturing talented youngsters in the region, cultivating their undeniable love for the sport while meticulously harnessing their skills with the utmost detail.

Despite his tender age, his playing ability was evident, and a passage through the youth ranks was notably smooth, with locals identifying an eagerness to learn and a desire to maximise the opportunities presented. At 17, Costa joined the U23 ranks while spending ample time training with the B-team. A 14-minute cameo justified the praise bestowed upon his development with a three-year professional deal following almost immediately in April 2021.

Interestingly, the club envisaged future interest in their potential starlet, inserting a €30m release clause in his package. From here, Os Conquistadores set about a gracious development plan, focusing their time on utilising the right-sided defender with Vitoria de Guimaraes B and building his athleticism alongside physicality through intense senior participation.

Alberto would make 19 Liga 3 appearances during the 2022-23 campaign, contributing one goal and averaging an impressive 79 minutes per outing. Despite his youth and relative inexperience, his desire was well-noted, and his engine was marked as a valuable weapon for the modern game.

Inevitably, personal growth and impressive displays caught the attention of senior manager Alvaro Pacheco, with Costa included in the first team in October 2023 and installed in matchday squads almost immediately, earning a senior debut in a January cup outing against Penafiel.

Although only featuring for several minutes at the end of the game, he would earn his league bow in April against Ruben Amorim’s Sporting – raising eyebrows with a notable 15-minute cameo. A contractual extension soon followed, with the player putting pen to paper on a five-year agreement.

A promising pre-season heading into the current campaign set the tone for opportunity. Having spent time with some of the loyal Os Branquinhos, many envisaged the possibility of Costa providing a healthy challenge for the veteran Bruno Gaspar. “He was young, but his ability was there for all to see,” said Tito (68), a lifelong Vitoria supporter.

“Many felt that Bruno [Gaspar] was the stronger of the two to begin, but his age is greater, and Alberto was young and hungry. You can see that he is eager for playing time, and he listens to the coach. Early showings offered some glimmer of hope – like against Djurgarden in Europe – he was never overawed, and he seemed destined to grasp every opportunity.”

Although Gaspar would command more starting time, injury struck the Angolan international in early December 2024, supplying an avenue for a consistent starting position for Costa. He made 21 appearances across all competitions up to his final outing in a 4-4 draw with Sporting.

Throughout this period of activity, his name began to surface on the continental scene, with Thiago Motta rumoured to be a keen admirer of the talented defender. When considering the magnitude of the Portuguese defender’s metrics, it is easy to see why. 

Statistics via WhoScored.com

Frustratingly for Motta, long-term injuries to Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal limited his defensive options throughout his debut campaign, with a sense of frustration developing in pockets of the fanbase. Undeterred by matters out of his control, the former Bologna chief moved for Costa in January to bolster his immediate squad while keeping an eye on his meticulous squad development for a calculated rebuild in Turin.

The 21-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-year deal, debuting in a cameo showing in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia against Empoli. Unsurprisingly, he was introduced to Serie A with a league outing five days later for a 30-minute display during a 2-0 victory against Hella Verona, replacing Timothy Weah in defence.

His performance was widely applauded by the La Vecchia Signora faithful, with many eager to see more of their Portuguese recruit. “How can you not be excited when you see such passion, willingness to work, and this ability on the ball,” Matteo (36) told me. 

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“We are not stupid – we know it will take time in a new league, city and language – but we like what we see. Thank you, Vitoria, we will take care of him!”

Remarkably, just two days shy of two years to the day that Costa played 90 minutes against Vilaverdense in Liga 3, he entered the sacred Juventus turf in front of 36215 adoring fans as one of the hottest prospects in Italian football. But, make no mistake, this has not occurred by some fluke; Alberto Costa’s arrival on one of the grandest stages in world football has come from dedication and ability to his craft. 

Modern football has morphed into a game that utilises marauding full-backs as vital components in the attacking third. With four goal contributions from 14 appearances in league and cup (one goal and three assists), the Santo Tirso native is primed to make a notable impact in Motta’s system. 

As a lifelong fan of the continental game, I relish witnessing the growth of these footballers in the most competitive leagues, and – who knows – maybe Alberto Costa will be the latest name to join a stellar list of memorable Portuguese stars.

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Featured Image: @GabFoligno / MB Media / Getty Images