Francisco Conceição, a winger for Juventus, has no doubts: he considers himself “one of the best in the world in his position” and reveals an uncommon trait for an attacking player — he loves winning defensive duels just as much as scoring goals. The 23-year-old, son of the legendary Sérgio Conceição, a former player and now coach, speaks candidly about his winning mentality and the demands he inherited from his father.
In an exclusive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Francisco does not hide the decisive influence of his father on his career. “My father tells me to play with passion, to enjoy football and to try to make a difference with my characteristics,” said the Juventus winger. “I also like to defend and win tackles because that is what he taught me from a young age. Winning a duel can be just as important as an assist or a goal. It gives me pleasure, just like dribbling or scoring. I always try to help the team win those duels.”
The family connection to football is deep and complex for Conceição. The young player was introduced to professional football by his own father when Sérgio was managing FC Porto. “I learned a lot from him because he is a great coach; he showed me where I needed to improve, and if I am here today, it’s because he helped me grow.” But not everything has been easy: “When you’re 18 years old and your father is the coach, it hurts to hear that you only play because you’re his son. That made me stronger mentally and made me mature quickly.”
Francisco acknowledges that the pressure of being the son of such a well-known figure has been a double-edged sword. “Everyone knew I was Sérgio Conceição’s son, but they also saw that I played because I had quality, not just because I was his son. I did a good job with the first team from the beginning.” The coach is strict and demanding, especially at work. “At home, he is more affectionate, but at work, he is very severe. When he was in Porto, he weighed us every day, and if I was 100 grams over, he would tell me to eat less.”
Despite having only four goals and five assists in 42 official matches this season, Conceição maintains unwavering confidence and ambition to be one of the great names in world football. “No one can dribble past someone until someone does. My mentality is to have no fear; I will try to prove that. I believe I am one of the best in the world in my position.”
The winger confronts criticism of his goal-scoring record head-on and is working to improve that aspect. “I know I need to improve my shooting, but it’s more of a mental issue than a technical one. I need to stay calm in that moment, and I am working on that with the coaching staff. I believe I have the quality to score many goals.”
Francisco Conceição is not just a rising talent — he is a force of nature who wants to make his mark in European football, supported by a family legacy of demand, passion, and hard work. Juventus has in its hands a gem that promises to set the Italian and European pitches ablaze in the coming years.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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