Fábio Silva: Youngest Porto scorer and most expensive Portuguese in history

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With a fee of €126 million, he is the most expensive player of the country and, with a market value of €100 million, the most valuable Portuguese: Atlético Madrid’s João Félix broke some records recently. One record, the 20-year-old lost to Fábio Silva (photo), however, who promises to be the next great attacking talent from the home country of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo.

Football is in Silva’s family’s blood: His father Jorge (44) was capped by the national team two times in 2002, his brother Jorge (20) is under contract at Serie A club Lazio and, like his older brother, Fábio Silva emerged from the youth academy of Porto and is a dedicated supporter of the Dragões. Between 2015 and 2017, the young forward made the step to rivals Benfica, but did not keep his passion for Porto a secret from them. “In a youth game for Benfica, he scored three goals in a 6-1 away win at Porto and did not celebrate them,” Marcel de Almeida, Area Manager Transfermarkt PT, explains.

Besides the UEFA Youth League, with Porto’s youth teams, Silva has also won several national titles with his club. From the U-15 on, he also plays for the national team and is currently a part of the Seleção’s U-19 squad. “He is one of the biggest talents in Portuguese football and has a solid or outstanding goal record in every team so far,” de Almeida says. “He is considered to be a striker with an instinct for goals, is well developed technically and is quick at finishing in the box. It is understood that he thinks quicker than most opponents in his age class and he moves very well and gets free. Therefore, he often gets to the ball quicker than his opponents to get a shot.”

Silva in front of Neves The youngest scorers in Porto history Overview Manager Sérgio Conceição early recognised Silva’s talent and made him a part of the first team squad in summer. Already on the first matchday, the young forward made his Liga NOS debut at 17 year and 22 days old. In October, he scored his first goal against SC Coimbrões in the Taça de Portugal (5-0) – with this, he became the youngest scorer in Porto’s history only two months after his debut.

In November 2019, the Europa League participants extended the contract with the striker until 2022 – the maximum, as a deal longer than three years is not allowed for underage players in Portugal. In course of the extension, Silva’s buy-out clause was raised to €125 million, €5 million more than the previous record clause in Portuguese football from João Félix.

The signing of the contract was announced at a club gala in November, where Porto players were awarded. Silva received the Dragão de Ouro, the award for the best youth player. “I did everything I could to win this award. It’s not only my merit, but theone of the whole youth academy. Who knows me also knows my ambition. I will give my best to help Porto,” Silva said and showed his passion for the club.

By Benedikt Duda