Portugal U-17 football stars Matilde Azevedo, Santiago Verdi achieve milestones

Matilde Azevedo, a 17‑year‑old forward from Oliveira de Azeméis, helped the Portugal women’s U‑17 team reach the final of the European Championship in Braga, ultimately earning a silver medal after a 3‑0 loss to Spain. She captained the side, scored throughout the tournament and was praised by the President of Portugal for the quality of women's roller‑hockey development.

Santiago Verdi, a midfielder who featured in Portugal’s world‑ and European‑champion U‑17 squad, signed a new contract with Vitória de Guimarães extending to 2031. The 18‑year‑old has been training with the senior squad under coach Tiago Margarido and is expected to feature more prominently in future seasons after previously playing with the club’s B‑team.