Currently away with Portugal at Euro 2024, Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa discusses the ups and downs of his early days as a young footballer when he was trying to make his way into the game.
Who was your role model when you were growing up?
There was Iker Casillas, Petr Cech and Gianluigi Buffon at that time, as well as Manuel Neuer. They were all goalkeepers who I liked to watch and would love to see how they played and worked. When I was younger I wanted to grow up to be a player like them.
Did you have a mentor who helped guide you?
There were lots of people who helped me, family members and of course I had coaches who helped me too. If I didn’t have these people helping me and they didn’t exist, I would not be here today. My parents were very supportive, but especially my father. He helped me to be a professional player because when I was young, he helped me with buying stuff and taking me to the training ground and to games, so he was probably the one person who helped me a lot.
What setbacks did you have to overcome?
I didn’t really have too many difficulties when I was younger. The only one time I had some issues was when I wanted to change club and my former club, Palmeiras, wouldn’t let me go, so I went and started training with the new club, but they didn’t release me. Palmeiras were a small city club in Braga but I wanted to change to Mereliense, so I was there six months without playing because I wasn’t released. I was only training. But in the January they let me go and I was able to start playing.
What was your biggest success as a young player?
I won quite a few titles when I was younger and it was amazing. When I was a young professional I won the title in Porto which was a big achievement and I also won the Nations League with the national team too, so they were big for me. Even in Greece I won the league title two times and even a cup, so I’ve already celebrated lots of titles.
Do you have any moments you still remember from that time?
Of course, you remember some things that you will always remember. There are things that will stay with you forever, because it’s difficult to forget the good things as well as the bad things too because you learn from those moments.
What have you learned most between then and now?
To work, work and more work. If you want something you have to work for it. You don’t get anything if you don’t work. But also to be humble, to help others and if you do that, in the end, you will have success. Of course, sometimes you need luck, because in football, you need luck as well as work. But if you work, and if you work well, then you will get closer to achieving what you want to.
This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2023/24 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.
