Hulton: Porto is back on track

The legendary Porto goalkeeper was interviewed by FIFA and talked about his old club's challenges in the Club World Cup and the highly rated goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

After a memorable 11 seasons at the Porto club, Brazilian legendary goalkeeper Helton held up 18 trophys to lead the team as captain and won the UEFA European Championship on his birthday in 2011, which is memorable. Along the way, he broke countless records in the club he called home and, as always, never lost his signature smile. His kind attitude, especially his commitment to the club on and off the court, has made the former goalkeeper one of the most respected figures in Porto's history. Helton may have left Porto in 2016, but the bond between him and the club remains, and forever.

The Brazilian played in 159 games, making him one of the most appearances in Fire Dragon Stadium history. Few people know the club's internal operations better than the Rio de Janeiro native, who graduated from the Vasco de Gama Academy and continued to play for his country.

In a conversation with FIFA, the 47-year-old spoke about the current situation of Porto, their challenges in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and their upcoming opening game against Southeast Palmeiras on June 15.

FIFA: How do you view Porto's season?

Helton: It's a bit like a transition period, isn't it? Things finally got back on track and I think it was going well. I will always support Porto, win or lose.

What do you think of new coach Martin Anselmi?

He is from Cruz Azul, Mexico, which is a very different background. It wasn't easy at first, but he's already adapted to it and eventually became a big factor in the team's recovery at the end of the season.

You are on the team at the same time as Diogo Costa. How do you judge him as a player?

When Diogo was in the youth team, I trained with him several times. Even at the age of 16, he did stand out among his peers. What impressed me at that time and now was his fearlessness. This is a crucial thing for a goalkeeper. His calmness and his ability to feet are good for him and the team. It is a huge asset to have a calm, proactive goalkeeper and willing to really get involved. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but a defensive three-zone guy like this can give you the lead in front of your opponent. It gives you an extra player who can make a difference and can help create overloads as you move forward.

He has established close ties with some European giants. Do you think it is too early to change jobs?

You just need to look at the statistics and see how he performs, both at home and in Portugal. This speaks for itself. In my opinion, time is an opportunity, no more or less, and if we believe we can control it, we risk letting it slip away from us and seizing it. That's why I always believe that if a player is good enough, they are old enough. If you think about it carefully, there is another example of Porto. Rodrigo Mora is now 18 years old. This is how I see it: Is he a good player? Does he know how to control the ball? Can he blend with the rest of the team? If the answer is "yes", then you play with him. Obviously, sometimes you have to protect the player, but you can't hide the basic facts. If he has talent, he will stand out.

What are your expectations for the opening game of the Club World Cup in Porto against Palmeiras?

Well, [Palmeiras head coach] Abel Ferreira will certainly be a factor. He has been away from Portuguese football for a while, but he has undoubtedly kept up with what happened in his hometown. It all will depend on how each team arrives in the United States and how their roster is.

What makes Porto the current team?

This is not an easy thing to define, but nothing can compare to the emotions and passions that are cultivated in the club. Whenever you go to northern Portugal, you can’t help feeling it, and, slowly, you gradually fall in love with it. It becomes a part of you. I’m lucky to have a good relationship not only with other players, but also with fans. They are always behind me and always help me play better. I replaced Vitor Baya, who is a club legend, so I had a lot to prove at the beginning, but I put in the work and the performance came. The better I play, the better I feel, and the fans see me as their own.