“Ruben Amorim: From Humble Student to Football Visionary at Lisbon’s Pioneering University”

**: Amorim’s Journey from ** The rise of Portuguese coaches and players can be attributed, in part, to the strong connections between academia and the world of football. Ruben Amorim, a standout figure at the Faculty of , has exemplified this trend. Prof. António Veloso, a former classmate of José Mourinho and the head of the high-performance football coaching course at the University of Lisbon-affiliated faculty, recalls his first encounter with Amorim. “I interviewed him for the course, and it was clear from the beginning that he was exceptional,” Veloso shares. Amorim excelled in his studies, particularly when tasked with writing essays on specialized topics, earning impressive results. He naturally took on a leadership role among his peers, with fellow students frequently seeking his insights during tactical drills on the pitch. Despite his talents, Veloso notes that Amorim remained humble throughout his academic journey. This blend of academic rigor and practical application is helping to shape the future of football in Portugal, with Amorim at the forefront of this evolution.