By Melody Gross 
The national futsal team is preparing for two friendlies against Italy, in preparation for the 2024 World Cup qualifiers. This last moment of focus of the season, in Vila do Conde, makes the debuts of four youngsters: Carlos Montero, Diogo Santos, Kochi and Ruben Teixeira.
Sporting winger Diogo Santos does not hide his sense of pride with this call-up. “It was something I dreamed of achieving since I was little, since I started practicing this way, and now that you are here, I promise to keep working,” the young man said in statements to the Portuguese Football Association. .
Edmilson Sá, better known as Kutchy, is the player who has scored the most matches with the under-19s. He understands the responsibility of being part of such a prestigious team, but ensures that he is well received. “I was nervous before I came, and I won’t deny it. We are always under the pressure we put on ourselves, because we come into a space full of talent and we win and we want to keep up the pace and continue the work that has already been done, ”says the winger.
For Ruben Teixeira, the pride is heightened by his first appearance “in the house”. “It is special to do my first internship in this field, where I live and play,” says the young man, who is the only representative of Caxinas. Carlos Montero, also from Vila-Condense, was surprised by the invitation and described the atmosphere experienced by the team: “It’s an inexplicable feeling to be here, I can already see that the word ‘family’ is preserved a lot and it really is. It’s true ».
The first match is scheduled for April 14 and the second on the 16th. Both matches will be held in the sports pavilion in Vila do Conde.