Gonçalo Cruz will be a name to remember, should he ever make it out of FC Porto’s academy.
The ballboy played a starring role in Porto‘s 2-1 win over European regulars Braga, helping ‘assist’ Pepe’s winning goal.
Cruz quickly got the ball to Martim Fernandes for a throw-in which allowed Porto to catch Braga off-guard and bag the winning goal in the 59th minute.
Post-game, midfielder Nico González was named Man of the Match, and found Cruz to give him his award.
Cruz was clearly pleased to be handed the trophy, and then appeared stunned when he realised González was giving it to him to keep.
Cruz then got to meet coach Vitor Bruno and a number of Porto’s other stars on pitch.
Speaking to the club later on, he said: “It was my own idea. I didn’t think about anything, I just thought about giving the ball, it was my own free will.
“It really came from the heart. I watched [the play] and I couldn’t believe it, because I immediately saw that I had contributed and that is was important, because even from the outside we can help contribute.
“It was an unforgettable moment, one that I will never forget in my life. Samu came running to me, I went crazy. Nico González said that I contributed to the team and that was also very important.”
When asked what he’ll do with the award, he said: “I will never forget it, it will stay with me for life, but I want to receive this as a player.”
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