A huge state-of-the-start training ground to be used by Portugal’s national football teams is officially opening today (March 31) at 3pm near Estádio do Jamor in Oeiras.
Known as ‘Cidade do Futebol’ (Football City), the complex boasts three football fields, a half-field designed specifically to train goalkeepers, two gyms, a “health and performance” unit, and a number of other facilities such as restaurants, offices and auditoriums.
In a nutshell, the idea is to give Portugal’s 22 national teams a place they can call home, without always having to travel across the country to train in different locations.
The centre will only be fully operational in May but should be ready to host Portugal’s training camp for the Euro 2016 in France. It cost €15 million to build 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.
The opening ceremony will be attended by several dignitaries, including Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister António Costa.
