FAQ:
1. Which Portuguese league and club will the player be registered with?
Each athlete is placed individually according to their age, ability, objectives, and development needs. We work with a network of Portuguese clubs in the city of Aveiro and carefully select the environment where we believe each player will have the best opportunity to develop and compete. For this reason, we cannot guarantee a specific club before the athlete arrives and is evaluated. If you look into Pro Football Academy Portugal social media, you will find pictures of our current athletes playing for several clubs. Clubs that have previously created success pathways to the best clubs of the world.
2. How many training sessions and competitive matches are provided each week?
Our athletes train every morning at the academy (approximately two hours), followed by physical performance and gym sessions. In the afternoons, they train with their Portuguese club (when there s no club training, they train again at the academy). Saturday mornings also include academy training.
Official matches take place at weekends. The number of matches played depends on the club’s coaching staff and the athlete’s performance throughout the season. We believe playing time should always be earned through hard work, commitment, and consistency.
3. What coaching qualifications do the staff hold?
Our coaching staff consists of experienced professionals with UEFA A coaching licences and backgrounds in professional football and high-performance player development. Our Head Coach and CEO, Carlos André, is a former professional football player with extensive coaching experience.
All our staff has experience and certifications. We have been developing young players since 2012.
4. How many players have progressed to professional clubs or university scholarships in the past three years?
Since 2012, athletes from more than 50 nationalities have passed through our academy. Many have progressed to professional clubs, university pathways, and national teams.
Rather than measuring success solely by professional contracts, we focus on helping every athlete reach the highest level possible according to their ability, commitment, and objectives. Every player’s journey is different, and our role is to provide the environment, guidance, and opportunities that maximize their potential.
5. Is medical insurance included?
Portugal's public health services are very good, and every athlete who joins for a full year can use those services, for free or very low price. Extra medical needs, like dentist or dermatology, are cost of the athlete, but even those are considered not expensive, when we compare to US or UK prices.
6. What visa support is provided for international students?
We have a dedicated international department that assists families throughout the admissions process, including documentation, visa procedures, school enrollment, academic transitions, and relocation to Portugal. While the visa application is submitted by the family, we provide guidance and all the necessary supporting documentation.
7. Are there any additional costs not included in the fee?
The €22,000 residential program fee includes accommodation in a double room with shared bathroom, meals, football training, gym, performance support, medical insurance, supervision, and integration into a Portuguese club.
The €30,000 residential program fee includes accommodation in a double room with private bathroom, meals, football training, gym, performance support, medical insurance, supervision, and integration into a Portuguese club.
If the athlete requires our academic program, there is an additional from €8,000 per year.
Also, the training kit has a cost of 300€.
Families should also consider external government-related expenses such as passport fees, visa application fees, document translations, certifications, and consular costs, which vary depending on each country’s regulations.