From the Neighborhood to The Stadium

Ivanildo Soares was born in Bissau on January 9, 1986. The talent of the Guinean player was discovered at the age of 10 during a prospecting tournament and was quickly invited to travel to Portugal.

"It was the reward of effort and daily work, fulfilling the dream of playing in that stadium."

FC Porto quickly became the new home of Ivanildo. Following Guinea-Bissau's formation, the Guiné-Bissau player made his first team debut in 2005. Ivanildo recalls the first game in the Dragon against Vitória de Guimarães: "It was the reward of effort and daily work, the fulfill the dream of playing at that stadium. " In the 2005/2006 season, the dream went up to level and was part of the team that won national championship and also won the Portuguese Cup.

The extreme of the blues and whites also represented the Portuguese Selection in all categories of the formation until the team B of the quinas.

In the First League, Ivanildo Soares was later loaned to União de Leiria, Académica and Gil Vicente, and also played for Portimonense and Olhanense.

"I'm a better person and I was lucky enough to be discovered by someone who remembered traveling to Africa. There are many young people in Guinea Bissau who deserve this same opportunity "

Just as happened to Ivanildo, who was discovered by a youth coach from FC Porto who traveled to Africa, the player has now embraced a new project and is cooperating with Paulo Regula in PR10. Ivanildo's mission is to help find talented young players and, above all, give new players a chance. "I'm a better person and I was lucky enough to be discovered by someone who remembered traveling to Africa. There are many young people in Guinea Bissau who deserve this same opportunity, "says Ivanildo Soares.