In a candid interview, Portuguese coach Luis Castro shed light on the differences between the Italian and Portuguese youth development systems. Speaking with Calciomercato.com, Castro, who has worked with several top Portuguese clubs, including Benfica, highlighted the key factors that have contributed to Portugal’s success in producing high-quality young players.
Castro, who was formerly the youth coach of Benfica’s Academy, pointed out that the Portuguese system is more organized and structured, with a clear growth path for young players. “At Benfica, when the kids are 16, they can play in the Under 17, Under 19, Under 23, and B team, which is in the second division,” he explained. “There are four steps for the same age group, providing a smooth transition to the first team.”
In contrast, Castro believes that the Italian system is fragmented, with too many age-based competitions, which prevents players from growing consistently. “Italy needs to sort out their competitions, there are too many obstacles for the kids,” he stressed.
Castro also touched on the challenges faced by Francesco Camarda, the 22-year-old Italian goalkeeper who has struggled to establish himself at AC Milan. “Camarda is ready, but Italy is not the same as Portugal, where if a player is ready, he is launched,” Castro said. “We must understand that in Portugal, it’s not the same as in Italy, where the mistakes made by young players are not forgiven.”
The coach also discussed the case of Portuguese midfielder Paulo Fonseca, who is currently struggling to hold onto his position at AC Milan. Castro praised Fonseca as one of the world’s top coaches, but noted that he needs more support from the club.
When asked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s protégé, Rafael Leao, Castro emphasized that the 23-year-old winger has the potential to become a top player, but needs to work on his game. “Leao has everything to become a top player in the world, but he’s not there yet,” Castro said. “He’s a talented player, but he needs to grow and think about completing himself.”
Finally, Castro highlighted several young Portuguese players who are set to make a name for themselves in the coming years. These include Joao Rego, Rodrigo Mora, Geovany Quenda, Diogo, and Joao Abreu, who are all products of Benfica’s Academy.
Overall, Castro’s insights provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the Italian and Portuguese youth development systems, highlighting the key factors that have contributed to Portugal’s success in producing top-notch young players.
