Who is Diogo Costa? The Porto goalkeeper on Man Utd's radar

Updated: 15 Oct 2022 15:54 BST
5 min read

Diogo Costa is one of the game’s emerging goalkeepers and has made a huge name for himself over the last few months for his performances with FC Porto and the Portuguese national team.

At a time where more is demanded of goalkeepers than just shot-stopping, Costa has all the attributes to be one of the game’s best in the coming years.

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Costa’s stock has risen massively in recent months, and he rose to even greater heights with his Champions League performance against Bayer Leverkusen: saving a penalty and providing an assist for Porto’s goal.

So, what else do we know about the goalkeeper, who is often compared to Manuel Neuer.

What position does Costa play in?

Diogo Costa plays as a goalkeeper, and is well-renowned for his capabilities with the ball at his feet and his desire to sweep up the pitch.

How good is Costa?

Costa is regarded as one of the game’s emerging goalkeepers and at the age of 23, has already become Porto and Portugal’s first choice, with a starting role at the World Cup expected. He rose through the ranks at Porto, and was part of the team that won the UEFA Youth League in 2019 with a team that featured other talents like Fabio Vieira, Diogo Queiros, Vitinha and more.

Costa joined Porto in 2011, going through their famed academy system and is one of their brightest prospects. So good was Costa in his youth that on three different occasions he was included in the UEFA European Championships Team of the Tournament: in 2016 with the U17s; in 2017 with the U19s and in 2021 with the U21s.

🧤 Diogo Costa: As melhores defesas na Liga 2021/22@DiogoMCosta99 foi uma das figuras do @FCPorto na conquista do título da I Liga 2021/22 e os 'dragões' foram a equipa menos batida, com 22 golos sofridos. Vê os melhores momentos do jovem guarda-redes.#VSPORTS #LigaPortugal pic.twitter.com/MOKNqrnvGp
— VSPORTS (@vsports_pt) June 6, 2022

Costa has excellent shot-stopping qualities and can move the ball forward with ease, getting involved with the team’s build-up – something many sides desire in the current day.

From the 2021/22 season, his first as a starter throughout the campaign, he attempted 42 passes per 90 minutes, 11 of which were completed over 40 yards.

He has an excellent penalty success rate as well, having saved 10 in his career thus far, eight of which have come for Porto – the most in the club’s history – and his overall save success rate from the spot is 37%, well above average.

Costa has also regularly shown his quality in getting off his line to make save and claim crosses – something necessary for goalkeepers in the current day.

Goalkeepers impact how teams build-up, defenders deal with pressure, defend their boxes, how high the defensive line is and Costa is the ideal man to have in net for any team looking to excel in those criteria.

Porto icon and former Chelsea player Maniche already believes Costa is one of the world’s best: “Diogo Costa is not only at this moment one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, but also in the whole world. I honestly think that the value of the clause is short for his quality. Look at the example of Kepa, who was sold for €80m, or Alisson and Courtois.

Diogo Costa’s month so far:

October 4: Makes six saves and stops a penalty to lead Porto to a 2-0 win vs Bayer Leverkusen

October 8: Keeps a clean sheet in a 2-0 win vs. Portimonense

October 12: Makes four saves, stops a penalty and grabs an assist in a 3-0 win vs Leverkusen pic.twitter.com/9MDtCzymF5
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) October 13, 2022

“Currently Diogo Costa is not behind them. Probably, to the dismay of the fans, he won’t be at FC Porto for long. He has every chance of becoming the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. He is already at the level of the best.”

Last season, Costa made 52 saves and had 15 clean sheets in the Portuguese top-flight, was named Goalkeeper of the Month in four different months and became his country’s number one. Going into the World Cup, Costa will be one of the players to watch out for, and being just 23, he is certain to have a long and successful future in the game.

What clubs are interested in Costa?

Manchester United are believed to have the biggest interest, as they are looking for a long-term successor to David de Gea, but will have to meet his release clause of €60 million if they wish to sign him – making him Porto’s biggest-ever sale.

They won’t be alone in their interest, as others will also be keeping tabs on Costa’s progress given the impressive start to his career, and there may be a big battle to secure his services in the future.