Juventus winger Francisco Conceição firmly believes he is “one of the best in the world in my role” and finds as much satisfaction in winning tackles as he does in scoring goals, a passion instilled by his father.
The 23-year-old winger, son of former Lazio, Parma, and Inter player Sergio Conceição, who also managed in Serie A, began his senior career under his father’s tutelage at FC Porto. He acknowledges the unique blend of advantages and challenges that come with his footballing lineage.
A Footballing Legacy
Francisco shared with La Gazzetta dello Sport, “My father advises me to play with passion, to relish my football, and to make a difference with my unique abilities.” He added, “I also enjoy defending and winning tackles, as these are lessons my father taught me from a young age. He impressed upon me that winning a tackle can be as significant as an assist or a goal. It brings me joy, much like dribbling or scoring. I strive to win duels to support the team.”
“I learned a great deal from my father because he is an exceptional coach. He showed me areas where I needed to improve, and my current position is a testament to his guidance in my development.”
Having one’s father as a first coach also presents difficulties, particularly during teenage years. “It was challenging at times, as being 18 and hearing comments that you only play because your father is the coach can be hurtful. However, it strengthened my mental fortitude and accelerated my maturity.”
“Everyone knew I was Sergio Conceição’s son, but they could also see my quality on the field, proving it wasn’t just due to nepotism. I performed well in the first team right from the outset.”
“My father is very strict, both at home and in football, but even more so professionally due to the immense responsibility involved. At home, he’s more affectionate. He is highly demanding in his work; when I was at Porto, we were weighed daily, and if I exceeded the limit by even 100 grams, he would instruct me to eat less that day.”
Despite a season tally of four goals and five assists in 42 competitive appearances for Juventus, Francisco Conceição exhibits unwavering self-assurance. “No one can dribble past an opponent until someone does. My mindset is one of fearlessness; I aim to prove myself and genuinely believe I am among the best wingers globally.”
Conceição acknowledges criticism regarding his goal-scoring record, attributing it more to mental aspects than technical limitations. “I am aware I need to improve my shooting, but it’s a skill I can develop. It primarily involves maintaining composure in crucial moments, so I am working on this with the staff. I am confident in my ability to score many goals.”