Back Where I Belong: A Fresh Start in Portugal

There’s a feeling I get every time the plane touches down in Portugal—and it’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it. Relief. Excitement. Nerves. Motivation. All mixed together. After time away, getting back here feels like stepping back into the life I chose, not the easy one, but the one that pushes me every single day.

Coming back to train with SU Sintrense feels like a reset. A fresh start. New weeks, new sessions, new chances to prove myself.

A Fresh Mind, A Hungry Body

Time away is important. It gives you perspective. But I’ll be honest—by the end of the break, I was itching to get back. Back to structured days. Back to training intensity. Back to being surrounded by players who are chasing the same thing I am.

The first session back always hits differently. Your legs feel it. Your lungs feel it. But mentally? You’re locked in. Every drill feels like an opportunity. Every touch matters again.

This is where I feel most alive—on the pitch, competing, learning, improving.

Big Expectations — From Myself First

With a new phase starting, expectations naturally rise. Not just from coaches or teammates—but from myself.

I expect more:

• More consistency

• More intensity

• More responsibility

• More belief

Being part of a competitive environment means nothing is given. Every place is earned. Every minute is fought for. And that’s exactly how I want it.

The club has big ambitions, and being part of that is motivating. When the standards are high, you either rise to meet them—or you get left behind.

Embracing the Challenge Again

Coming back to Portugal reminds me why I made this move in the first place. It wasn’t for comfort. It wasn’t for guarantees. It was for growth.

There will be tough days ahead. Sessions where nothing goes right. Weeks where progress feels slow. But there will also be moments that make it all worth it—when you feel yourself leveling up, when coaches trust you more, when your confidence grows.

This fresh start isn’t about forgetting what’s happened before. It’s about building on it.

I’m back. I’m ready. And I’m excited to get to work.

The journey continues.