A huge state-of-the-start training ground to be used by Portugal’s national football teams officially opened on Thursday (March 31) near Estádio do Jamor in Oeiras.
‘Cidade do Futebol’ (Football City) boasts three football fields, a half-field designed specifically to train goalkeepers, two gyms, a “health and performance” unit, and restaurants, offices and auditoriums.
It has been designed to give Portugal’s 22 national teams a place to call home, without always having to travel across the country to train in different locations.
The centre will be fully operational next month but should be ready to host Portugal’s training camp for the Euro 2016 in France.
It cost €15 million to build – none of which was public money – and will also serve as the new headquarters of Portugal’s football association (FPF).
“The infrastructure has been built with the knowledge obtained from the Euro 2004, but also from the training grounds and academies of big clubs both in Portugal and abroad,” said António Laranjo, the project’s mentor.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa attended the opening and made a short speech, saying that he hopes ‘Football City’ will help the country’s teams perform to their full potential.
“Portugal deserves to believe in itself more,” he said.
Prime Minister António Costa was unable to attend as he had flu, but was represented by Portugal’s Education Minister Tiago Brandão.
Among other dignitaries taking part were FPF president Fernando Gomes, Portugal’s Football League (LPF) president Pedro Proença and national coach Fernando Santos, and the presidents of Benfica and Sporting.
