• Estoril
• kevin boma

Kévin Boma is a 22-year-old Togolese centre-back, already capped six times by his national team. He arrived in Portugal in 2024/25 to join Estoril Praia from Rodez in France’s Ligue 2, in what was also Scottish coach Ian Cathro’s debut season at the Amoreira. It turned out to be a strong campaign for both, as the “Canarinhos” secured an 8th-place finish and impressed with positive tactical principles and an attractive style of play.

Cathro’s Estoril have predominantly lined up in a 3-4-3, occasionally switching to a 4-3-3. Boma has usually been deployed as the right-sided centre-back in a back three, though he has also shown the ability to adapt to either side when playing in a two-man defence. Reliable and competent, his performances stand out not only for his age but also for the way he has quickly adapted to a new country, language, and league.

Physicality and positional awareness

On the pitch, Boma has proven himself a centre-back suited to the demands of the modern game. He combines physical presence with sharp positional sense and reading of play. Strong in controlling depth, he posts solid defensive numbers — 1.24 tackles won per 90 minutes (82nd percentile) and 2.96 aerial duels won per 90 (92nd percentile).

He is a cool-headed defender, sometimes even a little reserved in his communication, but his focus and concentration are evident throughout the match. Confident in his own abilities, he knows how to use his best attributes to control opponents. His defensive commitment and tactical intelligence place him among the top centre-backs in the Primeira Liga for interceptions — 1.57 per 90 (90th percentile).

Perfect finishing school

Considering he plays for a mid-table side that occasionally pushes towards European qualification, these are highly promising figures that suggest he is ready to test himself at a higher competitive level. Under Cathro, Estoril have become an ideal school for players comfortable in possession and in managing the space behind the defence, regularly competing in a mid or mid-high block within a team built around ball possession and progression. Such a context provides the foundation for Boma to eventually become an asset at a club with greater ambitions, capable of dominating in a high defensive line.

At present, his main shortcoming lies in his passing under pressure, especially in tight spaces when Estoril sit in a low block. In those moments, options are limited and decisions must be quick and precise. This is not a question of reliability — Boma completes 92% of his short passes (60th percentile) — but rather of his ability to break lines and find teammates between the opposition’s units, accelerating transitions.

Room for improvement

In this respect, Zeno Debast of Sporting CP represents the benchmark in Portugal. The Belgian leads the league in progressive passes with an outstanding 8.13 per 90 minutes (99th percentile). By comparison, Boma records 2.04 (24th percentile). At 22, it is natural that this remains an area for development, but he needs to continue working under progressive coaches who can push him forward. He may never reach Debast’s level in terms of progression with the ball, but improving his numbers in this department would already give him the tools to succeed in more demanding environments.

Kevin Boma epitomises the profile of the modern centre-back Estoril Praia have specialised in developing: young, consistent, and with clear room for growth. His solidity in the Primeira Liga and international experience with Togo suggest a career on the rise. If he can improve his play under pressure and grow as a leader on the pitch, it is hard to imagine he will go unnoticed by clubs at a higher level. Estoril have provided the ideal platform for him to develop; the next step will be to prove he is ready to become a mainstay in a top-level defence, whether in Portugal or one of Europe’s major leagues.

FOOTNOTE: Statistics from the 2024/25 Liga Portugal Betclic season, comparing all centre-backs with at least 2,000 minutes played.

André Lopes is a Lisbon-based football analyst focusing on player scouting and tactical trends in Portuguese football. You can find more of his in-depth work (in Portuguese) at andreglopes.substack.com.

• Famalicao
• Gil Dias

Welcome back, Liga Portugal.

While some find stability dull, it’s often a necessary foundation for growth and success. Futebol Clube de Famalicão have become renowned for their activity in the transfer market, often overhauling squads frequently — 2025-26 threatens to become an effective exception, however.

Fama defeated Santa Clara by three goals to nil with eleven survivors from the previous season. The Azoreans may have felt the weight of their European adventures; however, the Vila Nova outfit did not feel the absence of fresh recruits as former Marco Silva assistant and current head coach Hugo Oliveira looks to put his signature on this settled side.

Óscar Aranda stood out last season as an extremely exciting prospect on the left-wing. Liga Portugal will feel his absence as an anterior cruciate ligament injury was recently sustained. In this inaugural domestic fixture for Fama, Gil Dias stepped up alongside the likes of Gustavo Sá and Brazilian forward Sorriso (Smile, when translated literally into English).

The nomadic winger Dias slotted an effort past Gabriel Batista to discourage any comeback attempt from Santa Clara, in what was a very complete individual performance.

(Statistics courtesy of Sofascore)

• 1 key pass
• 1 big chance created
• 6 duels won
• 7 defensive actions
• 1 cross completed

Dias’ turbulent story is reminiscent of what may bring Famalicão success this season.

For his talents and this symmetry, Gil Dias becomes the first PortuGOAL Figure of the Week of the 2025/26 Liga Portugal campaign. Kevin Fernandes reports.

A regularly used passport before the return ‘home’

Gil Dias’s CV reads like a European travelogue. From the youth ranks of Sporting Clube de Braga to the glitz and glamour of Monaco, including coinciding loans to Rio Ave, Fiorentina, Nottingham Forest, Olympiakos, Granada and Famalicão. 

A permanent switch to Portuguese juggernauts Benfica was Gil’s childhood dream, and his only goal came against city rivals Sporting at their Alvalade stadium. Despite this unforgettable moment, stability continued to prove elusive, and next stop for Dias was Germany and Stuttgart, followed by a stint in Poland with Legia Warsaw.

Rarely settling for more than a single season, his move back to the north of Portugal has now turned into the four-year contract that Gil Dias has signed with Famalicão.

New chapter, familiar hero

His first stint at the club was impressive, although the numbers – two goals and three assists in 33 games – do little justice to his impact. His return for the 2024/25 season saw him become more productive, scoring five goals and providing three assists, helping the club secure a seventh-place finish as a crucial part of the squad’s leadership group with his varied experience.

Dias admitted, upon returning, that his preferred destination was his native Portugal. The 28-year-old told Famalicense sources “I’m very happy to be back at a club that welcomed me in the best way and where I felt at home and where I’ve had the chance to recapture the joy of playing.”

The Gafanha da Nazaré born forward can fill in roles along both wings, not only as an attacker. Self-defined as an ‘intense, stubborn, fast player who is physically strong and good at dribbling’, Gil Dias is searching for continuity with Famalicão. It could be the perfect marriage. Both player and club have consistently showed glimpses of immense promise without quite taking off.

2025/26 may become the season of affirmation for PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Gil Dias and this stabilised Famalicão side.

Porto kicked off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Brazilian behemoths Palmeiras in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a match that, despite lacking goals, was full of excitement.

In attack, Rodrigo Mora weaved around the pitch and made himself a nuisance against Palmeiras’ defence, demonstrating once again why he is one of the finest young talents in world football. Samu Aghehowa wreaked havoc from the centre-forward position, mounting ample pressure on Weverton and impressing with his hold-up play. Gabri Veiga delivered an impressive showing in his first performance since arriving from Saudi club Al-Ahli, Fábio Vieira reminded folks of the quality that prompted Arsenal to splurge big money on him just three years ago, and apart from a careless giveaway at the start, Alan Varela generally kept things tidy from the holding midfield position.

Deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Diogo Costa, Cláudio Ramos was called into action on multiple occasions and stole the show with a number of impressive saves. Martim Fernandes, João Mário, Francisco Moura and Iván Marcano also delivered a number of key interventions in the backline, preventing an audacious Palmeiras side from finding the back of the net.

Composed Zé Pedro blunts big-name attackers

And in the heart of defence, Zé Pedro held it down and justified manager Martín Anselmi’s confidence with a composed display. Going up against a star-studded attack featuring the likes of ex-Barcelona striker Vítor Roque, former Lazio star Felipe Anderson, and Chelsea-bound Estêvão, as well as other fascinating talents like Maurício and Allan, Zé Pedro remained unfazed and helped Porto secure a goalless draw and retain their ambitions of finishing atop Group A.

Born in Guimarães, Portugal, José Pedro da Silva Figueiredo Freitas began his development with local side Vitória SC at the age of nine, playing with the Conquistadores between 2006 and 2010 before spending three years at lowly G.D.R.C. Os Sandinenses. In 2013, he made the move to Vizela, where he would spend three years before heading out on loan to Torcatense. He then bounced around from Fafe, Braga B, and Estrela da Amadora, helping the latter achieve promotion to Liga Portugal 2 by registering 5 goals in 28 appearances in 2020/21 and also racking up five appearances to guide them to the Round of 16 in the Portuguese Cup.

Big break

After spending the first six years of his senior career in Portugal’s third tier, Zé Pedro joined Porto in 2021, signing a three-year contract with for €250,000 and 80% of his sporting rights. Initially assigned to the B-team in the second division, Zé Pedro needed just five months before making his first-team debut under Sérgio Conceição, playing the entirety of the 1–0 win over Rio Ave in the group stage of the Taça da Liga as they were already eliminated. He continued to bide his time on the fringes, patiently waiting for his opportunity. Eventually, his patience paid off, with the centre-back extending his contract through 2026 on 7 August 2023. One month later, he made his Liga Portugal debut in a 1-0 defeat to Benfica. With regular starters Marcano and Pepe both injured, he replaced Romário Baró in the 25th minute after Fábio Cardoso was sent off.

Zé Pedro split his time between the B-team and the first team, racking up 14 appearances for the former and 17 for the latter in 2023/24. He began the 2024/25 season as the starter under new manager Vítor Bruno, prompting the club to renew his deal through 2027. However, he was dropped from the line-up at the start of November, failing to make another league appearance for another three months. He returned to the line-up in February, impressing in a 1-1 draw against Sporting.

Climbing up the pecking order

Following the appointment of Anselmi, Pedro emerged as a vital cog in central defence, even relegating big-money arrivals like Nehuén Pérez and Otávio to the bench. By the time the season ended, Zé Pedro had staked his claim as Porto’s most consistent centre-back, playing the full 90 in each of their last six league fixtures.

He picked up where he left off on Sunday, delivering a cool and composed display at MetLife stadium and keeping Palmeiras’ tenacious attack at bay. Having recently celebrated his 28th birthday, the Portuguese defender excelled over the course of 90 minutes, racking up five clearances, one interception and one tackle, winning one foul, and coming out on top in two out of four ground duels. He also showcased his quality in possession, completing 41 out of 45 passes as well as one out of two long balls. By the time that Argentine referee Said Martínez blew the final whistle, the only complaint that could be made of his performance was the fact that when he had the chance to score the opening goal from a corner kick, his header from a good position sailing north of the post.

Speaking to PortuGOAL after the match, Zé Pedro revealed: “I can say that I am in the best moment of my career because we are playing in a competition that has the 32 best teams in the world. It’s something that I’m very proud of, and I hope to continue that.”

Winning over the doubters

It hasn’t been an easy rise to the top for Zé Pedro. Similarly to other late bloomers like Daley Blind, Jimmy Conrad and José Fonte, the Portuguese defender has had to cut his teeth in the lower reaches of Portuguese football, keeping his head down and working towards achieving his childhood ambitions. He’s had to deal with criticism from even his own supporters, who have lambasted his performances and expressed disbelief that a player who spent the bulk of his career in the amateur leagues could possibly be a starter for Porto. And yet, thanks to his world-class mentality and work rate, he’s managed to make the most out of his ability and emerge as a fundamental player in Porto’s backline.

The Dragões will face off against MLS side Inter Miami on Thursday in Atlanta before returning to New Jersey to lock horns against Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly. With all four teams in Group A enduring goalless stalemates in their opening fixtures, the table is wide open. It’s anybody’s guess which two teams will qualify for the knockout stages, but one thing’s for sure: if Porto are to advance to the knockout round, they’ll need Zé Pedro to be at his best as he continues to prove he deserves his place among football’s elite. 

Related: Goalkeeper Ramos the star as Porto hold Palmeiras in Club World Cup

In January, highly rated Ivorian midfielder Mory Gbane joined French side Stade Reims from Gil Vicente for six million euros. Undeniably shrewd business as Gil had invested merely a fraction of that fee on the player. Only Fran Navarro and Samuel Lino – sold to FC Porto and Atlético Madrid respectively – had fetched higher fees in the club’s history. However, considering the circumstances, the timing was far from ideal.

The 24-year-old ball-winner was vital in off-ball processes, stabilising Gil Vicente while they hovered near relegation throughout the 2024/25 season, playing the hybrid central defender/defensive midfield role demanded by Bruno Pinheiro. Amid attempts to escape the dreaded relegation scrap, losing any regular first-team contributor would be detrimental.

And Gbane’s replacement? 20-year-old Mohamed Bamba, joining from Reims, with only two Ligue 1 matches played. Hardly the most encouraging CV for short-term success, right? Wrong. Kevin Fernandes profiles the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week.