Why Francisco Conceição is essential to Juventus’ future aspirations

TURIN, ITALY - MAY 03: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Alberto Gandolfo - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) | Juventus FC via Getty Images Juventus picked up where they left off by succumbing to a second straight stalemate, with Dušan Vlahović’s second-half equalizer securing a point at home against Hellas Verona this past weekend. It was a dreary display in front of goal in Turin, one that sees them now occupy fourth place with three games left, two points behind Milan, one above Roma, but one player who showed up for the Bianconeri was Francisco Conceição.

By the time that Conceição joined Juventus in August 2024, he had already amassed an incredible footballing pedigree that had seen him represent two of the biggest clubs in Europe — Porto and Ajax — as well as score in his competitive Portugal debut in the 2024 Euros. He enjoyed an auspicious start to life in Italian football, scoring in his second match vs. Genoa and bagging assists in three of his next five matches, before slowing down in production and finishing the season with 7 goals and 6 assists in 40 appearances.

And after bouncing around from Thiago Motta to Igor Tudor, Conceição is unlocking his top level under Luciano Spalletti. Having led Portugal to glory in the 2025 UEFA Nations League, Conceição has since emerged as a vital cog on the right side of attack and delivered the best form of his professional career, and the proof is in the pudding. Only Kenan Yıldız has registered more shots, shots on target, and successful dribbles per 90 than Conceição in Juventus’ squad this season, whilst only Weston McKennie and Yıldız have more assists than him in Serie A.

Conceição is making his presence felt on both ends of the pitch: he’s making more interceptions (0. 3) and tackles (1. 0) than last season, whilst he’s also winning 4.