For his first start with Porto, this young Portuguese talent burst onto the screen

This Saturday evening, the young Portuguese Rodrigo Mora had his very first start in the ranks of FC Porto, during the match against Moreirense in the league.

A career at the highest level is made up of opportunities to be seized. This Saturday evening, Rodrigo Mora faced one of the first big challenges of his young career, when he appeared for the first time in the starting lineup of his coach, Vitor Bruno. And the least we can say is that the 17-year-old managed to seize his chance.

A big first for Rodrigo Mora

Author of a remarkable pre-season with the Dragões, Rodrigo Mora has multiplied the arguments in his favor to quickly reach the highest level. The one who is to this day the youngest player in history to have played in the II Liga, in the ranks of FC Porto B, showed a certain maturity in his game, allowing him to access, at only 17 years old, the elite of Portuguese football.

Although he started the season with the reserve team, Rodrigo Mora was then promoted to Vitor Bruno's group, within which he was able to make a few appearances. Enough to score the first goal of his young career with the Dragões, on October 28, during a championship match against AFS. But this Saturday, the young Portuguese U21 international reached yet another level.

The young Portuguese left his mark

For the first time in his career, Rodrigo Mora started an FC Porto match as a starter. Information which made the young 17-year-old talent the attraction of the evening in Moreira de Conegos, to the extent that his emergence is particularly awaited by observers.

And despite the pressure, the native of Custóias responded in the best possible way. Decisive passer on FC Porto's first goal, signed by Samu Aghehowa, Rodrigo Mora then managed to double the lead shortly after the hour mark. In the end, the visitors won with a score of three goals to zero, during of a meeting marked by the very good performance of the young Portuguese prodigy.

A completely different second part of the season?

Before the match, this first start for Rodrigo Mora was inevitably demanded by many FC Porto supporters. Indeed, the regulars at the Estadio do Dragão have already made this young playmaker their new favorite, and the weekend's performance should not calm their enthusiasm.

For his part, FC Porto coach Vitor Bruno had confirmation that, despite his young age, Rodrigo Mora was already ready to play at this level of competition. It remains to be seen whether it will allow him to continue with a second consecutive start next weekend, when FC Porto hosts its neighbor Boavista, in a derby which promises to be electric.

Photo credit: Octavio Passos/Getty Images