An article appeared on the New York Times where Freddy Adu stated his happiness at the Lisbon club and how he is maturing as a player.

"Playing in Europe? You can't survive in such competitive football if you don't pay attention to all details every day. It's a very competitive environment, everyone is a good player and there aren't guaranteed places in the team. You have to train every day and that is what improves you."

Freddy Adu was the youngest ever player from USA to compete in the Champions League at the age of 18 against Celtic. And his ambition doesn't stop there, the American star wants to be a part of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa too with his national side.

"It doesn't bother me if I play 2 or 90 minutes. I go into the pitch with the same attitude. I started playing in the first team earlier than I expected so I'm happy with my progress."

"At first I had doubts [on adaptation], but I knew one day I had to mature. I crossed over to Europe, which was something I really wished for and I couldn't be happier. Here I'm on my own account, in America everything was set up for me. Now I want to turn to be a man."