)
Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa was destined for the absolute highest tier of world football long before he established himself as a fixture for club and country, according to former teammate Dani Figueira. In a recent appearance on the Liga TV videocast “Sem Filtros,” Figueira reflected on his early days alongside the FC Porto shot-stopper in Portugal’s youth national teams, recalling a conviction that has since materialized on the global stage.
Figueira, currently playing for Armenian Premier League side Noah, spent years crossing paths with Costa through various youth brackets, including the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
The sentiment highlights a trajectory that carried Costa from youth ranks straight into the FC Porto senior team and the Portugal senior national squad, where he cemented his reputation with standout performances on the international stage, including the FIFA World Cup.
Early Rivalries and Mutual Respect in Portuguese Football
Before their careers diverged—with Figueira moving abroad to Armenia after establishing himself as a standout figure for Gil Vicente—the pair frequently faced off across domestic competitions in Portugal. Figueira acknowledged those challenging fixtures with a laugh, noting that playing against FC Porto usually resulted in defeats.
Yet those meetings routinely ended with sportsmanship. According to Figueira, post-match exchanges involved embraces, words of encouragement, and the traditional swapping of jerseys. “I think at home I actually have more of his shirts than my own,” Figueira joked during the videocast.
Describing Costa as the goalkeeper he admires most in the modern game, Figueira pointed to consistency as the defining trait that separates good players from truly great ones. “He doesn’t have to make a spectacular save every time, but he’s the one who is there at the right moment. He is all of that, and it wasn’t by chance that he was the national team’s best player at the last World Cup,” Figueira noted.
Career Paths and Current Standings
While Costa continues to command the net for FC Porto and the Portugal national team, Figueira has carved out a new chapter in the Armenian top flight. His club, Noah, currently leads the domestic league standings and has recorded four clean sheets this season—a defensive specialty that bridges Figueira’s current form with his long-standing appreciation for elite goalkeeping.
Figueira also highlighted the growth of football infrastructure in Armenia, expressing surprise at the high-standard facilities provided by his current club as they pursue the domestic championship title.
Worth a look
