Have you ever wondered where the stars of FC Porto hone their skills? Well, stand here, right in front of the Centro de Treinos e Formação Desportiva Olival / Crestuma, and I’ll tell you all about it. This sprawling complex is the heart of the Porto training ground, where the club’s players, from the youngest hopefuls to the seasoned professionals, train and develop their talents.
The Centro de Treinos, affectionately known as the Olival, was built by the Vila Nova de Gaia municipality in 2002. It was a bold move, and a costly one. The construction, designed by architect Alcino Soutinho, cost 16 million euros. The municipality then leased the complex to FC Porto for a mere 500 euros a month for a staggering 50 years.
Walking through the Olival, it’s hard not to feel the buzz of energy. We stand in front of iconic buildings housing state-of-the-art facilities, including six well-maintained training pitches: four blessed with natural grass and two with artificial turf, including a mini-pitch for intensive work. One of the natural grass pitches even boasts a grandstand with a capacity of 3,800 for those who want to witness the magic live.
Beyond the pitches, the Olival houses three support buildings. The entrance building welcomes visitors with a reception, cafeteria, press center, and even an auditorium. The first team has access to two dressing rooms, medical support areas, hydrotherapy, massage rooms, and a gym. The youth team enjoys similar facilities, with three dressing rooms of their own, a medical department, and a hydrotherapy room.
But the Olival isn’t just about physical training. It’s about teamwork, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s here, in the heart of the Olival, that FC Porto players, from the future stars of tomorrow to today’s legends, transform their potential into tangible results. That’s what gives this place its distinct aura, a palpable energy that echoes through the history of its grounds.