Marçal: More Great Moments To Come
It’s been quite a few months for the 21-year-old winger, involving a maiden First Team start, followed by a first senior goal. Now agreeing fresh terms to remain with Leicester until at least 2026, he reflects with pride on the journey that he has taken at the Club to date.
“I'm feeling delighted,” Marçal beamed. “I'm happy to get it through and continue with the Club for the future. It still feels a little bit surreal to me. In the space of about seven years, I was able to come from the Academy, get a scholarship and become pro.
“I look back and I wouldn't change any of it. I’ve loved every second. Obviously, that's all I've been working towards since I came into the Academy, to get into the First Team and be given the opportunity to play.
“To be around the boys for the whole of the pre-season and starting games in the Championship and to score my first goal as well, it was a great moment. Being around pros that have been playing professional football for ages, you pick up stuff on and off the pitch. It's a great experience to be a part of.”
With an abundance of young talent emerging into the senior side, the Academy graduate has joined the likes of Ben Nelson and Kasey McAteer in earning minutes for Enzo Maresca’s team so far this season.
“It's good that there's a few of us coming through,” the former Portugal Under-20s international continued. “It shows that the Club gives the youth a chance and opportunity. The younger generations have something to look up to in me, Kasey and Ben.
“I just want to get back to how I was playing at the start of the season with the First Team. I'm only 21 and still have a lot to learn, but I'm excited to keep getting more opportunities and keep making a name for myself.”
While things are going well in the Championship at the moment, contributing to the mood around the Club, Marçal has managed to gain some more minutes with the Development Squad.
Testing himself against senior opposition in the EFL Trophy, but also come up against other Under-21s teams, it provides a good balance as he continues his development.
The youngster added: “It's good, just to keep staying sharp, so if I get the call-up from Enzo [Maresca], I'll be ready to deliver and do my part for the team. I think everyone's buying into the style of play and everything about him.
“I think he brings a lot of togetherness within the team, and I think everyone's behind him. Everyone trusts his process and everyone's loving Enzo. They're flying, in first place, so it's just about keeping working and hopefully we’ll get back to where we belong, in the Premier League.”