When passion is greater than obstacles, anything is possible, and it is never too late to try a new sport or become our own teachers. João Luís Azevedo is a charismatic and persistent person who transitioned from being a football player to a physiologist. He worked at Grêmio but later returned to the team he considers his family, FC Vizela.
Currently, besides working with football players, he also works with Olympic athletes like Salomé Rocha and aspires to one day work in cycling. Knowing that science is constantly evolving, he believes it is essential always to read and take notes to pass on his knowledge to those who need it in the future.
João believes in his team's success and supports all players, especially those on the bench. Listen to this podcast to discover why.
Inspired by Legends with João Luís Azevedo: From Passion for Football to Excellence in Training
See podcast here
Miguel: If you believe in hugs, if you take pride in where you come from, and if you think a team is much more than just colors, then this podcast is for you. I am Miguel Soares, founder of BYMS, and I created this podcast, "Inspired by Legends," to find and celebrate today's legends.
Today, I have the great pleasure of welcoming someone who is undoubtedly an inspiration and a great friend, João Luís. João is passionate about sports, graduated in Sports Science at the University of Porto, and specialized at Grêmio, a club in Brazil. He was selected to represent the University in Eleven-a-Side Football, Seven-a-Side Football, and Beach Soccer. He was already a physiologist for the U-19 team at Futebol Clube Vizela, where I played and had the pleasure of meeting him. Currently, he works with the senior team of Futebol Clube Vizela and Olympic athletes like Salomé Rocha, who is preparing for her third participation in the Olympic Games.
For all these reasons and more, João Luís, it is an honor to have you here today.
João L: First of all, thank you for the invitation and for your words. More than that, you gave the best word to define our relationship: friendship. Before we started, I was talking about the many people who have crossed our paths and who still have the great pleasure of being friends today. People like Edu, David, Hugo, among others. So, from the moment you called me, it was obvious that I wanted to participate, above all, because I am very grateful for what I have done so far and everything I have managed to build—not only through education but, above all, through people. People who are important in my journey and will continue to be. Because the past is gone, but we can use it to shape our future and understand what we want to be and do.
Miguel: You talk a lot about your education and the people who have been part of your journey. What do you consider a legendary person? Someone you look up to as an example and inspiration? It doesn’t have to be someone famous—just someone important in your life who has influenced who you are today.
João L: I believe that a lot of our influence comes from our upbringing, and I am incredibly fortunate to have had the education given to me by my parents. Academically, I think many teachers don't even realize the true impact they have on us after ten or fifteen years of learning.
There are three professors I must name because it would be unthinkable not to. First, Professor José Augusto, who taught methodology and physical conditioning, whom I had the honor of inviting to speak in Vizela. Then, Professor André, who now works with the Portuguese Football Federation. And finally, someone who is a reference on an individual level—Eduardo, a physiologist for Futebol Clube do Porto's technical team, whom I had the pleasure of learning from.
When I see these people, I don’t even need to say "thank you." It’s about looking at them as if they are still unattainable. People say, "But they are now your competitors," and I say, "Yes, but they helped shape who I am today, so I am very happy and grateful." These professors have inspired me deeply, and I think of them whenever I do something significant.
Miguel: And what do you think was the characteristic in these professors that captivated you the most and made you the person you are today, inspiring you the most?
João L: That is a great question because they all have very different personalities. For example, Professor André is an incredibly empathetic person. He is the kind of person who would walk in today and talk to you as if he had known you for 20 years.
Miguel: That is spectacular.
João L: He has excellent communication skills and knows how to position himself in any situation. That is one of the best qualities a person can have. Then there is Professor Carlos Rezende. Even though he was a coach, he came from the sports management field, and I think his ability to see things as a whole was remarkable. He understood the importance of every person in a team—me, you, him—and sought to create a synergy that made everything work smoothly.
Then there is Professor Eduardo Oliveira—an absolute genius. When he accepted the job at FC Porto, he was working on the biggest national project, involved with the Portuguese Oncology Institute, designing and prescribing training programs for cancer patients.
Miguel: Wow.
João L: Imagine the responsibility he had in such a critical role. Even today, he continues to contribute to that project. Then there is Professor José Augusto. I don’t want to reveal his age, but he must be between 70 and 80 years old, and he still competes in rowing marathons. His physical condition is incredible. To give you an idea, he was part of the technical team that coached Portugal in the 2002 World Cup in Korea, and when he returned, he cycled all the way back.
Miguel: No way!
João L: He is an extremely active person. He comes from a different generation—he had a military background, studied at an academy, and developed resilience from that. He teaches that not everything will go well in life, but you have to fight for what you want. A few months ago, he won a world championship in his age category. That shows his perseverance.
Miguel: You talk about these inspiring people, but if you step back and look at your own journey from the outside, it is truly incredible. The resilience you showed to go from a student learning from these legends to now competing with them—it’s amazing.
What do you think about that? You mentioned that one of them is now at FC Porto, and you are still friends. Do you think friendships in football can last regardless of club loyalty? Because more and more, I see that club fanaticism blinds people and brings disadvantages. But that isn’t always true. What is your view?
João L: I always say that on game day, I become a competitive beast. I hate losing. A big part of my personality comes from that. I love competing—even if it’s flipping a card or tossing a coin. I think you noticed that when I was your coach.
Miguel: Absolutely.
João L: I have a particular character. I always say I am a great person, but in sports, I am only a great person until competition day. On game day, I see it as war. You must do everything to win, within the rules and fair play. Of course, disrespect can sometimes happen in the heat of the moment—especially in football, where insults are becoming more common. And I am guilty of it myself.
The other day, I was sent off, and after the match, I went to apologize. I knocked on the door, without any shame, and said, "Look, you sent me off correctly, but my words were not meant for you." The referee replied, "I know exactly what you said," repeated my words, and said, "Apology accepted. Move on." And that was it.
I think sports should unite people. Here’s an example: last weekend, I went to watch MotoGP. I am passionate about Formula 1, but I went because I think we should be grateful to have a Portuguese rider competing at that level. I follow his races and lap times, but I don’t understand the technical side of motorcycles as much as I do Formula 1.
So, I went for the experience, and I noticed something incredible—when an Italian or Spanish rider fell, the fans of Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM clapped when they got back up and continued the race. That is something that rarely happens in football.
Miguel: It’s very rare.
João L: Exactly. It’s not about being happy when a rider falls, but rather about respecting their determination to get back on the track despite knowing they have lost the race.
Miguel: That’s true.
João L: I was amazed when the reigning champion, Bahia, crashed, and the Spanish fans around me applauded as he got back on his bike and rejoined the race.
Miguel: That’s the best part of sports.
João L: Exactly. That made me admire other sports even more. Just recently, I was following the Final Four of the Portuguese basketball league. I observe all these different sports and realize that, in other disciplines, there is much more respect for opponents and results. Football fans should learn from this. In Portugal, we are improving in many areas, but we still need to work on better communication and education in sports.
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: Right.
Miguel: Before you started working as part of a football team’s staff, you played football yourself when you were younger. You were part of Vitória Sport Club’s youth teams, and you surely had dreams of becoming a professional player.
When did your dream of a professional playing career shift towards studying and specializing in physiology?
João L: That’s an easy question to answer. From a very young age, I had severe vision problems. This week, I was scheduled for an important surgery, but I postponed it. It’s something I haven’t even told my wife or my mother yet. When I was five years old, my vision was already extremely poor. I lost color perception due to color blindness.
Fortunately, I was always a good student, thanks to my parents' education. I believe that no one is naturally a good student because they want to be. Everyone enjoys going to school, but not necessarily to study.
Miguel: Right.
João L: Kids go to school for their friends, but my mother always insisted, "Football is fine, but I want you to be a good student." So, from an early age, I kept hearing it over and over again. Eventually, I realized that things weren’t going well for me as a player, so I focused on studying. Luckily, I pursued something I love doing, and now, after nearly fifteen years, I have reached a high level.
Many people who studied with me are still not at this level yet, while others have surpassed me. I am happy for them because I believe in supporting others’ success. It doesn’t take away from my own success. If we work hard at what we love, we will see results sooner or later. That’s why I always root for others—we never know when we might need them.
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: ... It’s not about having more or less success, because, many times, people in my field ask me, "What is your main goal?" My main goal is not just getting the ball into the net. My goal is to get the player ready so that he has the best possible chance of achieving that. My job is not to tell him exactly what to do, but rather to prepare him for it.
Miguel: Exactly. And you also said that you like seeing the people you studied with doing well. I completely agree with that. Our success is not tied to others' failures. If we work hard and stay dedicated to what we love, I believe we will eventually see results. Whether sooner or later, it will happen. That’s why we should always support each other—because we never know when we might need them.
João L: Yes, exactly.
Miguel: And we will need a helping hand at some point.
João L: "And in sports, it's even more so. Today you're here, tomorrow you're there, and suddenly—well, it's normal. Because I always say that sports are wonderful to work in, but the pressure is incredible, and most people often don’t realize it. The result has a huge influence on our personal lives, and I always say, you can do everything right, but if your opponent does the same on that day and beats you, you weren’t bad. You’re simply, every single week, constantly, as I always say, fighting to defeat someone."
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: And this is the hard truth. I just left the club, and I have a match on Sunday—on Easter Sunday, imagine that. This whole week, we’ve been working hard, and I know that Casa Pia has been working just as hard. We’re going to play, and on match day, something will happen—maybe the ball hits the post and goes out, or maybe it goes in, and one of us will win. That’s why I always emphasize the process. The process is everything. The process comes from the people involved—you, me, the physio, everyone—ensuring that our team has the best possible conditions to perform well. Then, on game day, when the referee blows the whistle, my responsibility becomes minimal. I’ve already done everything I could to make sure they are ready.
Miguel: And in that process, ensuring that the players are in top condition, you are one of the most important members of the coaching staff. How important is physiology in all of this? And for those who don’t fully understand what a physiologist does, could you explain your role and your weekly process leading up to a game?
João L: Basically, people sometimes confuse different roles because, in some cases, one person can perform multiple functions. But what happens is that we have a fitness coach on the field—someone who executes and plans training sessions alongside the coaching staff. Depending on the day, there are different objectives, including numerical targets. That’s where I come in—using GPS data, analysis, and metrics to determine what the players should be doing in terms of workload. One of the most important aspects of my job is identifying player profiles—both on a team level and individually—to understand each athlete’s physical needs. It’s not just about saying, "You need to run 500 more meters or 500 fewer meters," but rather understanding each player’s unique attributes and making sure they are performing near their peak output. It’s like a fine-tuning process—tightening and loosening the screws as needed.
Another crucial phase, which I value the most, is the return-to-play process. I work closely with the medical department from the moment a player gets injured, overseeing their rehabilitation and conditioning to ensure they return safely and effectively. These are the biggest victories for me.
For example, about a month ago, one of our players suffered a severe injury. Initially, it was believed that his season was over and that he would require surgery. But we looked at each other and decided to take a different approach. And here’s where I tell you—it’s crucial to genuinely care about the people you work with. I really like this particular player, and I told him, "I can’t promise you’ll play again this season, but I can promise that you’ll be ready to play." Now, just seven weeks later, he has a medical appointment on Monday, and he is fully functional. He still needs to regain some strength, but in two or three weeks, he’ll be back.
These are the moments I cherish the most. I have a little "sacred space" at home where I keep messages from players and coaches who have thanked me over the years. At the end of the day, my greatest reward is knowing that I helped someone get back on the field.
Miguel: And people really appreciate you for that.
João L: Exactly. Some say that in football, you can’t have real friendships. I completely disagree.
Miguel: And we are proof of that—we’re here talking today.
João L: Exactly. Just earlier, I was mentioning two people I really like—Edu and David. It’s about realizing that, in football, you don’t just impact players' careers—you impact their lives. If a player goes home happy because he’s doing what he loves, everything else around him flows better. That’s why I see my role as a mix of advisor, return-to-play coordinator, and a bit of a "nerd" who tracks every performance metric imaginable. I communicate with the coaching staff and players, and I’m the guy who says, "Today you were below average" or "Today you were above average." More often than not, I end up applauding their efforts when they perform well—just like I did at today’s training session.
Miguel: And that kind of recognition is important.
João L: Absolutely. I believe that my role is not just about telling people what they need to do—it’s about knowing when and how to communicate with them. Some of the players I coach are older than me, and others are much younger. I have to strike a balance between being approachable and maintaining authority. I always try to create a fun and engaging environment while ensuring that they understand the seriousness of our work. And that’s why, even 10 years later, some players still call me for advice or rehabilitation.
Miguel: That’s a sign of respect and appreciation for your work.
João L: Exactly. I even have players who travel long distances just to train with me once a week. One of them comes from Santa Maria da Feira, another from the center of Portugal. For these players, I even lower my fees because, for me, the real victory is that they still want to work with me. Of course, money is important, but these personal victories are what truly fulfill me.
Miguel: We’ve built strong friendships throughout our careers, mine being shorter than yours. What values do you look for in friendships, especially when working with athletes?
João L: Sincerity. It’s about being able to say, "We messed up," and taking responsibility for it. Players always know when they’ve had a bad game. Honesty, combined with knowing when to deliver the message, is key. There’s a player you know—Samu—who once told me, "I’ve figured you out. When we lose, you’re kind to us for a few days because you need us to perform next week. But when we win, that’s when you’re the hardest on us because you don’t want us to relax." And he was absolutely right. Timing is everything—knowing when to push and when to support. It’s all about sensitivity and communication.
Miguel: Because they had that…
João L: Because my victory is that they still want to continue working with me, you see? And that’s what I always say—of course, money is important, money is important for everything, but these are the kinds of victories that truly comfort you. It feels good.
Miguel: We have our friendship, and I consider it a strong one. Throughout our careers—mine being shorter and yours being longer—we’ve built great friendships. What values do you look for in friendships? What qualities do you appreciate when working with an athlete?
João L: I always say it’s sincerity. The ability to say, "We messed up." And when I say "we," I include myself, because I also make mistakes. If I say, "Miguel has to play," and I push that decision within the staff, but then Miguel plays poorly, I was part of that decision. Often, players are the first to know when they’ve played badly. That’s where sincerity comes in. But I always say that timing is just as important as sincerity.
I have a player you know—Samu—I’ll have to tell him to come here and talk about this. He’s not your typical football player. When I say that, I mean he doesn’t fit the stereotype. He’s super down-to-earth, which is incredible. And he figured me out. I always say he "exposed me" because he realized when I get tough on them and when I don’t. He told me, "When we lose and play badly, you’re kind to us for the first few days." And he’s right. Why? Because I need them for the next game. They’re the ones who play, not me. But when they win, I go after them nonstop because I don’t want them to relax. That’s what sincerity at work is about—knowing the right moments to act.
Miguel: Because people are different.
João L: Exactly, people are different.
Miguel: And they react differently to…
João L: That’s exactly it.
Miguel: …the information you give them. And you have that sensitivity to talk to different people in different ways. You used to call me out when I wasn’t doing well.
João L: Do you know what your name still is in my phone?
Miguel: It’s "Gordo" (Fatty). Because when I was at Vizela, I could have been in better shape. But then again, I performed well on the field, so it wasn’t that bad.
To give you an example—this year, we signed a player, Bruno Costa, from Porto. I won’t say he’s overweight, but let’s assume he is. Imagine I call him "Gordinho" (Little Fatty). I say, "Hey, Gordo, do this, do that." Some people around us might say, "Oh, you can’t call him that." But he says, "No, no, you guys can’t. But he can.
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: You see? Because he created that space in our relationship where I can talk to him that way. Whether it’s true or not, relationships are different. You can have the same people, but when you add someone new, you have to adjust. That’s why I say sensitivity is the most important thing in our daily lives. And then, of course, knowing how to apply it, whether professionally or personally.
Miguel: I think that’s one of the reasons so many people you’ve worked with like you. Often, we don’t form strong friendships at work, but you manage to work with people and maintain real friendships, like the one you have with me and others. When you were in Brazil at Grêmio, did you maintain friendships despite the distance?
João L: Oh, absolutely. I have the privilege of seeing those kids—who were kids back then—now reaching the first team, and I still talk to them. Just recently, a player who transferred to Braga messaged me asking when he could visit.
Even the technical staff at Grêmio still stays in touch. This year, we’ve had a rougher season, and they still check in on Vizela’s results. When we win, they send me messages saying, "Keep fighting!" That’s what I mean—ten years from now, you’ll realize that in football, you genuinely care about people, even if you don’t see them for a while. It’s like a kind of love that lasts forever.
Miguel: Yes, exactly.
João L: It’s like—you might not see someone for five years, but the connection remains.
Miguel: The bond stays the same, and that’s the best part. In sports, and in football specifically, some relationships really do last forever.
João L: Yes!
Miguel: A year in football really feels like a lifetime. You spend hours together daily, you see each other in every state—exhausted, joking around, traveling for hours, sharing moments of joy and frustration. And those memories stay with you.
At Grêmio, I worked with youth teams up to the U-20 level, and some of those players are now in the first team. They still message me, and that means everything to me. My father always told me, "Everyone is important." And it’s true. You absorb a little from every person you meet. When you treat people well, you receive good energy in return.
Miguel: Absolutely. To receive, we must first give. No one just receives. That’s something I fully agree with.
At Grêmio, you made lasting friendships. We’ve talked about your experience there before, and it was incredible. Looking back, would you have stayed in Brazil and built your career there, or do you think coming back to Vizela was the right choice?
João L: That’s one of those "two-paths" questions. There’s always a "yes and no" and a "right and wrong" when making big decisions. It took me a while to accept my return. I came back for personal family reasons—I felt it was the right thing to do. But there’s always that bittersweet feeling of "What if I had stayed?"
Grêmio is a global club, a massive institution. I love being in Vizela, and I’ve had chances to leave, but I’ve stayed for almost ten years now. But Grêmio is special. I wanted to return home, but it took me time to fully accept it. When I arrived back in Portugal, Vizela welcomed me with open arms. The warmth of Brazilian culture is amazing—after every training session, they would say, "Let’s have a barbecue!" At some point, I got tired of eating meat! But that’s part of their bond.
I still follow Grêmio’s matches, their rivalry with Internacional—it’s a passion I was part of. But when I returned, I was drawn back by a project that, ten years ago, wasn’t even fully formed. Every career has projects, and this was one I believed in. Tiago, whom you know, told me, "In three to four years, we’ll be in the first division." We had setbacks, heartbreaking playoff losses, moments of pain. I still remember everything about those games.
Miguel: Like the Vila Franquense match?
João L: Exactly. That agony of knowing you won 30 out of 34 games but lost one…
Miguel: And that was enough to…
João L: You lose one, and you don’t get promoted. But in the end, things worked out. It was a perfect shot in the dark, and today, things are going well. I’m happy there, which is important. I’m happy with the people I work with, and I value that a lot.
Miguel: That’s what truly matters. I was there when Vizela lost to Vila Franquense, and later, even though I wasn’t part of Vizela anymore, I was there celebrating your victories and David’s, when you guys reached the second division and later the first division. I was outside the bus, watching you all pour champagne over each other. Those moments fill my heart with joy.
João L: That’s what I’m saying—I remember the people around me the most, and that’s what makes me happy. I had friends from Porto, from my studies, who came to watch the Vila Franquense game. I still remember them being there when we lost.
Miguel: That’s really tough.
João L: People often say, "People only remember when someone wins." But in my case, I feel honored because even in defeat, I had a close friend who later invited me to work on a future team with him. I told him, "One day, we’ll work together—that’s for sure."
That moment, which you’d think was bad, wasn’t really bad—it was part of the process. Sometimes you move forward, other times you stay in place, or even take a step back, just to realize what needs to change.
Miguel: And sometimes, we can’t truly savor victory without experiencing a few losses along the way.
João L: Exactly! That’s why when we finally got promoted, it was such a relief for everyone. We had that cloud hanging over us from those two failed promotion playoffs. People truly deserved that moment. The squad was amazing—everyone got along so well. And since it was during COVID times, we were even closer because there weren’t many outside distractions. We lived those moments together. Of course, our families were the first to celebrate with us, but I’m extremely grateful because that experience made me appreciate victories, promotions, and even maintaining our position in the league even more.
Miguel: You haven’t only represented Vizela, but also Grêmio, and the University of Porto in 11-a-side football, 7-a-side football, and beach soccer. Which one did you enjoy the most?
João L: Well…
Miguel: I always remember your stories about beach soccer and beach volleyball—you were outstanding!
João L: It’s incredible because I think anyone from Guimarães has spent endless summers in Póvoa de Varzim. I spent practically every summer there until I was 17. From childhood, I’d go with my nanny—my aunt—because my parents worked. I’d stay there for a month with her, then another month with my parents. So, I practically lived two months of every year there. Naturally, I fell in love with playing sports on the beach.
When I went to study in Porto, I was lucky to meet a Brazilian guy named Rodrigo. Today, he trains athletes in Singapore. We became great friends because he had a very similar personality to mine—like a big kid. He was playful, never too serious, always joking. And the funny thing is, we played perfectly together. He was left-footed, and I was right-footed.
When we got the chance to play, we trained together and had great chemistry. We ended up achieving solid results, making it to two finals, though we lost both. But that’s part of the journey.
For the 2016 Rio Olympics, we were invited to a tournament where 30 teams participated, and only two were selected for the showmatch events. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the final cut. The event was in Póvoa de Varzim, and we competed against players who had been practicing beach soccer their whole lives. We had only trained for three years. Competing was one thing, but winning was another—experience makes all the difference. That’s why someone like Bruno Alves has had such a successful career—he dedicated his entire life to football.
The tournament brought together many people who had transitioned from playing to coaching. I was already working at Vizela at that time, but studying while participating in sports like this was an amazing experience. I always say that you learn a lot in a classroom, but you also learn so much from others’ experiences.
Miguel: Without a doubt.
João L: There were 12-14 of us, and two were engineers—who are still my friends today—but the rest were from sports backgrounds. We shared experiences. Someone would say, "In training, I faced this situation," or "A player once did this to me." By hearing those stories, you build knowledge.
I competed for nearly four years. Even after finishing my studies, I could still participate. And I did!
Miguel: Wow!
João L: I went to Covilhã. And I went with Sousa. And right away, Sousa too, I know you’ve already invited him, I hope to see him here. Imagine, Sousa and I were in Vizela, and we went to represent the university in Covilhã with other people who are now also at Boavista. They weren’t playing anymore, but since the relationship was so good, we took that day and a half, let’s say, made the effort to train one day, leave, go to Covilhã, and come back to play again. Because even today, the WhatsApp groups still exist, we see each other a lot, you know? And it’s...
Miguel: That’s incredible, not just the sport itself and the achievements you’ve had, but also the friendships you’ve made, and those friendships that last a lifetime and are so special.
João L: The other day, Porto played, Porto Legends against Real Madrid. Sometimes I look at that and think, it must be great for them, after 15 years, to sit down together again... You’re going to miss it, you’ll understand that, you’re still playing now. But you’ll realize, the day you stop playing, the thing I miss the most is match day, honestly. And my position on match day now is totally different—it’s about preparing 11 players to go out there and kill it. Compared to being one of the guys going out there, you know, with a knife in my teeth, ready to go. Because that’s my personality, and so what do I try to show? That it’s the most important day of our lives, you know? What I always say, often... I’m playing on Sunday, my family will be there, Easter Sunday, you know, like...
Miguel: Is it pressure?
João L: Raining, raining. Often, I lose, and you know my mom gets incredibly terrified. She comes into the stadium and leaves after 10 minutes. Because her pain is even greater than mine, because I imagine what it’s like, you know? My sister is the same, my brother, my dad, my wife. And somehow, I understand that it affects people. That’s why I tell the players, value this moment because you’re representing so much more. There are people who are proud of you every day. I always say, in football, you have to be rational and passionate at the same time. You have to know what you’re going to do, but often you have to know what you’re representing. It’s a club, it’s a city, you know?
Miguel: It really is a city.
João L: Exactly, like, take Vizela, for example, which is a small city. I always say, as long as Vizela stays at this level, it’ll be good because the city will keep being talked about. And I try to tell them, hey, you’re not from here, I’m not from here either, but I’ve become part of Vizela. I already have a group of friends from there, you know? And I see the happiness in their eyes when I win, I say, I, Vizela, I’m happy for them, you know? Like, the other day they went with my brother to Barcelos, and we won, and I said, there’s nothing like being able to thank you for being here, for being happy for me. Like raising your arm, you know? What I said was, look, I’ll get a jersey from each player for you, and I have jerseys to give from Tomás, from Samu. Because it’s like, once again, they’re giving me support, you know? Throughout your journey, you’re never alone, you always have people behind you, beside you.
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: And you’re also happy because of that, which I know, thank God, and so I always try to share my victories, but they’re not just mine, they belong to many more people.
Miguel: The group that supports you.
João L: Exactly.
Miguel: And that group will always support you, not just in the good moments but in the bad ones too, like you said.
João L: That’s it!
Miguel: Like Vilafranquense. Do you think those two missed promotions were your lowest point in football, something that made you the saddest, or was there another story, another event that shook you more?
João L: No, I have one, I’m in Vizela, but I’ve left and come back because I had a falling out with someone. Today, I realize I would have done things totally differently. And I feel regret, but then, there it is. The way, when I came back, I saw how people received me. That made the six months, let’s say, that I was away from the club worth it. It was an enormous happiness, I saw players, and when I say players, they’re not just players, when I walked in one day, after signing again, I walked into the stadium, into the club, into the locker room, I saw men, men running to hug me. And you know what a hug in football is like, it’s hugging, it’s hitting each other. Their happiness, for me, was already a win. You know? So, I always say, that bad moment, or not-so-good moment, because I realize I was at fault too, because, you know, I’m quick to speak, the fire is right here.
And so, today I would have done it totally differently, but it was worth it, you know? And the missed promotions, it’s a huge pain, it’s a pain that makes you want to swear right after. It’s a horrible pain! The first year, you know, it’s like breaking a leg, but then, okay, now I can stretch my leg. The second year, when we didn’t get promoted, I’ll be honest, I spent 10 days at home where I didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to talk to anyone. Because you don’t know what you want to do, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, like, maybe next year I don’t want to keep working in this, because you doubt everything, it’s part of the doubt, but then football and sports are like this, they’re cycles that regenerate.
Every year, players come and go, coaching staff come and go, presidents come and go, the results aren’t always the same, and so you have to understand that these are cycles that regenerate themselves, and you have to be able to adapt to them. And today, yes, I’m a totally adaptable person. And that also comes with maturity, obviously. Because, even though I’m still young, I’m 35. And people often say, oh, your job is a hobby. Because people think, I usually say, oh, I’ll tell you how many times he has to jump, obviously, I don’t jump, I’m not operational, but you have to understand, for me to know that he has to jump 10 times.
Miguel: There’s a lot of study…
João L: There’s a lot of study behind it. Exactly. It’s not about me saying, “Hey, you’re going to do this.” Okay, but knowing how to delegate, what to do…
Miguel: …it’s about him jumping 8 times instead of 6.
João L: Exactly. And so, it’s a lot like that, you know? And thank God, things have gone well. Today, it’s all worth it, and I’m happy above all—I think that’s what matters.
Miguel: That’s the most important thing. Especially because football brings us happiness and also sorrow. In my case, I think football, having participated in sports since I was young, since I was 5 or 6 years old, and being involved in competition during that phase, brought me a lot of ambition, not just in sports but also in life. Because obviously, we compete every weekend in tournaments, etc., and we always want to win. We always want to, because winning is what brings us that happiness and joy of celebrating with friends.
Do you feel that football has given you not just the memories and friendships but also something beyond football—tools that you consider important for your personal growth?
João L: I think we’re multitaskers, you know? I think we’re like Swiss Army knives—we know how to compete in sports, but beyond that, there are relationships to manage and resolve, okay? And I think we’re good at solving problems, okay?
So, the ability to work in a group, to speak in a group, to know how to react to a more adverse situation. Because there are problems in sports that don’t directly translate, let’s say, to our personal lives. But the thing is, personal life also has its bad days.
Miguel: Of course.
João L: And somehow, you say, “Ah, when I lost the game, I was really sad, and then I had to get up and recover.” In our personal lives, the same thing happens. You have a bad day, bad things happen, unfortunately, in life. And you have to have that ability. I know it’s easy to say this because sometimes it takes us a day, two days, or three days to recover from whatever it is. But I think competition gives you a lot of tools, let’s say, to resolve—not everything, but most situations, you know? Because you become prepared for a lot of things.
And so, I always say, sports—and I have a godson now—I always say, “Hey, I don’t want him to be a player.” And even if I have a son, I’ve already told Xana, I don’t want him to be a player. To start, I don’t want him to play football; I’d like him to play futsal, which is my biggest passion, but whatever he chooses, and I say, if he comes to me and says, “Hey, I want to play basketball,” then he’s going to play basketball. You can’t want him to play something just because you like it. You know? You can’t...
Obviously, in some way, you always want to guide the people around you. I wanted to guide my brother, I wanted to guide my sister, because that’s what educating is. It’s about saying, “Look, you should do this,” but if they don’t want to, then the decision is theirs.
Miguel: And that mentality, I think, is something that’s sometimes missing. Because now you see parents, and we sometimes watch games of 8- or 9-year-old kids, and we see the parents in the stands furious about what’s happening on the field. Insulting everyone, because it’s like they’re the ones playing, they’re the ones living it, instead of letting the kids live it. And sometimes, a kid might not even want to be there in sports or might not want to play football, but it seems like more and more parents, seeing the success and money involved in sports…
João L: That’s it!
Miguel: …want their kids to be there, sometimes even against the kids’ will or the doctors’ advice.
João L: I follow the games closely, in this case, and Gonçalo’s development, and the first thing I say—and fortunately, he has good examples—his mom doesn’t interfere, his dad doesn’t either, Xana doesn’t either, but they feel the pain, they get upset when he plays less, when he misses something, but that’s part of it.
When I pick him up after a game, the first thing I ask him is to downplay the game, and when I say downplay, I mean the result—whether he scored or not—because I always say, I wasn’t a goal scorer, I was a passer. I preferred to play well rather than score goals, okay? But I tell him, “Gonçalo, did you enjoy the game? Did you see that kid? Haven’t seen him in a long time, right?”
Exactly, because I think that’s very important. Now, you touched on something I sometimes prefer not to talk about much—it’s like, sometimes I feel uncomfortable because of secondhand embarrassment, you know?
Miguel: That’s it.
João L: Like, I go watch Gonçalo’s games, and I go to many tournaments, and sometimes it’s normal—you’re playing on one field here, another field there—and I see the expressions, the faces of the people. And when it’s like that, I try to step away, I move to the side, and I watch the game very calmly. They’re kids, let them do what they want.
Miguel: Let them have fun.
João L: Let them be happy, for God’s sake.
Miguel: But then there’s the other side, the other spectrum. In this case, where this doesn’t happen as much—for example, in athletics. I don’t see that happening as much; I think it’s a sport where people control themselves more and express their support in a different way, with more passion. And you work with people in athletics who are now participating or trying to get into the Olympics again for the third time, like Salomé Rocha. What’s it like working in that field and stepping away from football a bit, working with an Olympic athlete?
João L: The first thing I have to say—and this goes for my players, and they need to hear this—is that football players train very little compared to what they think. They think they train a lot, that it’s very hard. Forget that—football is an increasingly demanding sport, okay? And I can see that from the GPS data, from the intensity the game requires today. But I always say, Salomé, during competition or pre-competition, runs over 200 kilometers a week.
Miguel: Imagine, 200 kilometers a week.
João L: On top of that, there’s the strength training she has to do, a series of treatments she has to undergo—she lives to compete, okay? I’ll tell you this: she wakes up in the morning, she goes running, she has lunch, she lies down in a tent, she sleeps inside a tent, inside her house, to simulate altitude, okay? To recover faster and to be more prepared in case it’s a bit more humid or stuffy that day.
Miguel: That’s an incredible mentality.
João L: It’s something I sometimes tell a player, “Hey, elevate your legs a bit for venous return, it’ll help, work on your flexibility a bit more.” You know? It’s like, Salomé ’s life, okay, is all about this. My biggest victory, let’s say, is being able to work at the level of these kinds of athletes. Because she—and they often—she runs in front of our stadium, and they look and say, “Wow, she’s fast,” and it’s her recovery run.
Miguel: And they’re like, “Wow.”
João L: And they’re like, “Wow, that’s recovery?” And then, you said something very interesting, which I also wanted to tell you. Salomé has training groups where there are people who only train with her—they don’t compete. It’s almost like the so-called “rabbit,” who sets the pace, helps her keep time.
She can’t run listening to anything; she has to run suffering, she has to know if she’s running at 4:00, 3:50, 3:40, or 3:20 pace—she knows her body that well, okay? And she has people who share her dream without being part of her dream. Because in football, when you field the starting eleven, you have seven or nine guys who are sick and not playing, and it’s painful, but they might still get in. But there are others who are left out, which is even worse, but that’s the nature of selection, unfortunately. But she, she trains with people who have her dynamic and train with her just to pace her. It’s something you say, “Ah, but they’re sacrificing themselves for her.” Exactly.
Miguel: So she can succeed.
João L: So she can already have her participations and now have her next two attempts to go. And obviously, when she hears me say this, even if she doesn’t make it, she has to be happy because she gave it her all.
Miguel: That’s the most important thing.
João L: You know? She’ll get to the end, and of course, it’ll hurt. After 3 or 4 months, she’ll take the pressure off her shoulders and say, “Hey, I gave it my all, I did everything.”
Miguel: And I’ll try again in 4 years.
João L: Exactly. And often, what’s funny is that football players want to be stronger and faster in a month, you know? And Bolt has that famous quote: “I worked four years to shave off one second.”
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: One second.
Miguel: It’s crazy. Exactly. And there’s always competition every week in football, while they prepare for specific competitions that happen...
João L: For specific events, to reach their peak, let’s say, which is two or three months. For example, we’re now working on a five-week block because she’s competing at the end of April, you know? So, what happens? You plan everything in detail for five weeks, not week by week. Obviously, it’s tough because in football, you play, you lose, and you have another chance right after. In athletics, it’s not like that—you look at the bigger picture, and from there, you define, “Okay, this will be my moment to test myself, to see where I’m at,” and then you figure out what you need to do.
Miguel: And do you feel more fulfilled working in athletics, or do you always prefer football?
João L: I still have… When I say “still,” it’s because I have a dream—I would love for Salomé to compete while I’m still working with her. Because I started working with her after an Olympic cycle. I’d love for her to compete so I can go with her. Because that’s one of my biggest goals—there’s no greater goal than representing your country.
Miguel: No.
João L: No. Champions League, Intercontinental, on the other side of the ocean—there can be everything, but knowing you’re representing your country is the ultimate achievement. So, I always say, after reaching the Primeira Liga, my goal is clearly to participate in something for Portugal—the Olympics would be incredible. And I won’t lie.
The other day, I said this at the club—I’d love to work in cycling. Because I want to see… Everyone says, “Oh, they’re all doping,” and all that, but get on a bike and try to do what they do, then you’ll see.
Miguel: Riding a bike for 200 km or 1,000 km in a week.
João L: Exactly. And after the race, you still have to go for a ride to clear the lactate from your body so you can climb again the next day.
Miguel: Climb Everest.
João L: Exactly, exactly. But unfortunately, I think it’ll be very difficult because I don’t have experience in that area, but I’ve already said, if I ever have the time—if, for some reason, I’m without work for a season—I’ll propose myself to a team and I’ll want to learn about their reality.
Miguel: To learn a bit too.
João L: Yes, and it’s a lot like that. You love football and team sports, but then you see that individual sports are incredible—like Carlos and Salomé, even though she competes in team events. But then, I think those of us in physical conditioning or fitness, like me, have many idols who aren’t represented in our daily society, but who are incredible. Like, a small country like Portugal already has, in the UCI, which is the top division, maybe 20 cyclists. Maybe only 2 or 3 are top-tier, but the rest are there, and people don’t realize how hard it is to be in a world-class category. It’s very hard to be in a national category, representing someone in a world championship. It’s very hard. Even representing in a national championship is very hard. Much harder to represent in a world championship, no matter the sport.
Miguel: Especially in a country where…
João L: Money is funneled.
Miguel: Money is funneled very little into sports.
João L: Into our sports.
Miguel: And what little goes to sports mostly goes to football.
João L: Exactly. But then, when the Olympics come, people want to turn on the TV and demand that the guy wins.
Miguel: Wins the event. That’s very hard, and they need a lot of motivation. How do you manage to pass that motivation on, not just to Salomé but also to the players—not just to be physically fit and committed to your plan, but also to the training program and nutrition?
João L: Okay, look, this morning I was saying this to a player. I told him, “I’m not going to count the reps you’re going to do, because there comes a point where I worry by not worrying.” And what does that mean? If I tell him to do 10, and he has to do 10, if I tell him to do 20, and you know why? He’s not cheating me.
Miguel: He’s cheating himself.
João L: Exactly. I always say, basically, you’re being tested every week, okay? Then, of course, there are speed tests, like we did today, body composition assessments, jump tests—a series of things where you see, “Oh, the guy is in shape or not, improved or not.” But there are also many factors—whether the athlete is in peak form, whether they’re playing or not. But above all, I always try to show them that they’re fighting for their lives, for their dreams, and you know my dream isn’t the same as, for example, Alex’s, who’s American. Okay, he’s Mexican. He says he’s Mexican, but to me, he’s American. And I always say, “You have to find ways to achieve your dreams. And you have to aim high, always. Big dreams.” It hurts a lot when someone thinks, “I want that, but it’s far away.”
Miguel: It’s far away, and I’ll have to work hard to get there.
João L: Very hard. But that’s okay. Because by working toward it, even if you don’t reach it, you’ll get somewhere.
Miguel: You’ll get there.
João L: Exactly. And so, in a way, you end up achieving even more. And so, I think, more than anything, it’s about not treating us just as athletes. Okay?
And when I say this, it’s… It’s super important. When I say this, we, who are part of a football club, need to know if he sleeps well. But it’s not just if he sleeps well—it’s if he has a child and if the child lets him sleep. If his wife is here, and if they’re happy, if they need help with something at home.
Because it’s super hard to be a thousand, two thousand, three thousand kilometers from home, sometimes not mastering the language barrier.
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: So, what happens? More than anything, the first thing you have to do is show that you’re available for him. And from there, you say, “Okay, you’re sacrificing so much, you’re far from your family, sometimes only seeing them once or twice a year. Try to find the strength, and I’ll be the guy to give you a little push—me, the physios, the directors.” Because that’s our job—we need them. Like, I always say, “I’m not the one scoring the goals, and they don’t need to score the goals either, but they need to achieve small things, and that’s their sweat, their effort.”
It’s about them realizing that every day they have to find a way. There are bad days and less bad days, and that’s where I also say I’m important—I have to understand when they’re upset with their wife or something’s bothering them, and then, what do I do? Often, they have pre-training and post-training sessions, and in the post-training, the guy comes to me and says, “I’m messed up about something.”
Miguel: Of course.
João L: And then, what do I do? Often, they have training and post-training. In the post-training, the guy comes to me and says, “I need to go home, I need something.” Friend, it’s much more important for him to go home.
Miguel: And feel happy.
João L: Because the next day, you know what it is? I gave him a hand, and the day I need him to give his all, he’ll give his all.
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: Because he realized that, in some way, you’re there for him, you know? That’s why my position is, it’s not about being ungrateful. I work from Monday to Sunday. People don’t know this. People think, “Oh, the game is on Sunday, and the team has Monday and Tuesday off.” But forget that—we don’t get days off. It’s Monday to Sunday, all day there. Why? Because I have to think about the guy who plays, but I also have to think about the guy who doesn’t play. And the guy who doesn’t play is in a tough spot the next day because he didn’t play. And he says, “Oh man, will someone be at the stadium? Will they?” And we have to go there, open the little door, give him training. You know why? Because, once again, today he’s not here, but tomorrow it might be him playing. It’s no use if I only care about the starting eleven. It’s not about neglecting them, but it’s about not giving as much attention to the others. And that was one of the first things I realized.
You’ll remember the athlete in question. I don’t think he knows this, and these are things I keep forever. Do you remember our Zé Luís, our left-back?
Miguel: Zé Leão.
João L: Zé Leão, exactly. He was a guy who was completely hardworking. You’d tell him, “Oh Zé, go run into the wall 200 times.” And friend, he’d run into the wall 200 times without even questioning it. He’d come back all messed up, his face bruised, but he’d do it.
Miguel: He already ran.
João L: He already did it.
Miguel: Do you need to do anything else?
João L: And there was a phase where he wasn’t playing, and my biggest concern was, “Give him comfort.” And when I say comfort, I mean, “Alright Zé, you did well, you did well.” And he said something to me: “Oh coach, now I understand something. Now that I’m a substitute, you talk much more with the substitutes than with the starters.” I said, “Of course, man.”
Miguel: It’s you guys who need more care.
João L: The others are happy, they’re playing. I don’t know if you’ll be playing tomorrow, but what happens is, I can’t let you fall. So what do I have to do? Give you encouragement. And when I say encouragement, I mean, if you did poorly, I’ll tell you you did poorly, but you also did things well. But for some reason, the coach chose the other guy to play because he thought it was best. And Zé said these words to me: “Oh coach, now I understand that you reveal yourself much more with those who don’t play.” And I told him, “Of course, Zé, I have to do it.” Because, once again, it’s about sensitivity. I don’t need to tell the guy who’s scoring 20 goals, “You think I need to give him something?”
Miguel: To say something to him.
João L: Look, the guy is happy, things are going well for him. Of course, occasionally I’ll say, “Hey, you did this well, you did that well.” But pulling, talking, being close—it has to be with those who need it.
Miguel: And now, to wrap up, do you have any advice for someone who’s studying or wants to follow this field? Something you’d give as a friend, not just as a professional?
João L: Okay, especially in our field. I told you I can perform 3 or 4 roles in a club, all with different titles. And I think that’s it—sports science, which I studied at FADEUP in Porto, is very broad. It’s very hard, especially early on, to understand exactly what you want to be. So, don’t think you’ll leave university as an expert mastering everything, because you won’t.
I myself still study. This morning I was talking with Suor and Pedro, a Spaniard, and they were asking me something. They said, “Ah, you know a lot of things, and we see you still reading a lot.” I said, “Of course, to start, science is always changing.” It’s like everything—nothing stays frozen in time. So I always have to keep searching. And I think that’s part of it—personal investment. And when I say personal investment, I don’t mean buying the best courses. Try reading books because, above all, I learned a lot from books. I was lucky to have Professor José Augusto, who told me, “If you want to understand speed, Europeans should listen to the Italians.” And what did I do? I bought Italian literature translated into Portuguese. The Russians have always been strong too—Berko Chansky or Oscar. I learned on my own. My brother is just starting out, and the thing I tell him most is, “Oh João, it’s obvious you’ll have a facility I never had because my family wasn’t in this field.” And I always tell him, “Look, check out this guy, this one, this one.”
Miguel: You’re already helping him.
João L: I’m already helping him, and I didn’t have that. But I was lucky to have those professors who, as they spoke, I realized, “Oh, this guy says this, so I’ll read this, this, and this.” And so, it was about gathering all that material and understanding it. Even today, I write. My friends joke, “Ah, you wrote a 10-page e-book.” Well, try writing 10 pages.
Miguel: Exactly.
João L: Understanding what it takes to write 10 pages, finding 10 topics, and in those 10 topics, trying to find simple ways for everyone to understand—it’s hard, very hard. And today, I have two backpacks I always carry. In one of them, I probably have 100 pages written by hand. Why? Possibly, over time, I’ll pass that on—things I want to leave for others to see, experiences, you know? Because I think it’s important. It’s no use knowing everything—no one knows everything—but it’s no use knowing a lot…
Miguel: Knowing who to pass it on to.
João L: Exactly, you know? The thing I like most is when someone comes to me and says, “Hey, for some reason, I was told you’re good in this area. Can you help me? What should I look for? What should I read?” And without any problem, I’ll say, “Look, I read this, this, this, this.” It’s about investing, my friend. Like you do. Like we all do.
Miguel: Exactly. Complete this sentence for me—I don’t know if you’ll manage. Football or athletics?
João L: Ah, I’ll say football.
Miguel: Okay.
João L: But it’s tough, tough.
Miguel: Football or futsal?
João L: Ah, tough. Okay, no, no, no. Futsal.
Miguel: Futsal?
João L: You know why? I’ll explain. Often, I can’t watch a football match because, unfortunately, sometimes the game is boring—it ends 0-0. But futsal, for example, is currently in the Final Eight, and teams that no one in Portugal knows are playing. Let’s say most people will end up getting to know them—teams like Dínamo Sanjoanense, Zêzere, teams from small towns, representing provinces, let’s say. They can’t compete with Sporting or Benfica, but they can…
Miguel: Get close.
João L: Get close, you know? And there, I can watch everything. Last night, I was watching Belenenses vs. Sporting, you know? I wanted to watch it, and now I’ll keep following it because the game is more beautiful.
Miguel: And what would you say now if your best friend were here, or on a call, or right in front of you? What would you tell them? Anything.
João L: Ah, my best friend is my brother, okay? First, I never wanted my brother to do the same thing as me, you know? Because, in some way, you have that slight feeling. My parents tell me, “Oh, João wants to be like you.” And I don’t want him to be like me. I want him to do things well, whatever it is. But the word I use most is that I love him. Because… Xana always tells me, “One day, when you have a child, you’ll see.” Or, “I really want to have a child, you know, for whom? To redirect this love I have for my brother and sister.” Because, unfortunately, I feel like it’s often irrational. You know? Like, I protect them… They could come here and break your roof, and I’d say, “Oh, he must have had a reason to break the roof.” You know? Exactly. Because I’ve… Many times, my brother did something, and I defended him. And that’s when I tell you, it’s irrational love, it’s stupid. And the only word I have for him is, it’s a feeling. I like him, I really love the guy.
Miguel: João, thank you for accepting the invitation once again.
João L: Ah, happy to. I hope I wasn’t too long.
Miguel: And for your sincerity—this is a conversation I’ll definitely never forget, especially because of the friendship we have. And for all of you, get ready for another episode of Inspired by Legends.
I guarantee it will be as good or better than this one. Big hug.
The journey of João Luís Faria Azevedo is an inspiring testament to how passion, persistence, and the willingness to learn help build a successful career. His experience goes beyond solid training in Sports Science—João has stood out in national and international sports.
By listening to the podcast, you can expect an exciting conversation and discover João Luís’s motivations, how he overcame obstacles, and how he continues to pursue excellence. His unconditional support for players demonstrates his character, dedication, and passion for sports.
It’s never too late to dream.