Miguel Cunha, a talented young footballer who plays for Bishop's Stortford Swifts, has been to Lisbon to train with the Portuguese national U18 squad.

Following an invitation from the Portuguese Football Federation, Miguel flew out to Lisbon last Sunday and spent two days training with some of the top young players in Portugal including four from Benfica, four from Sporting Lisbon and four from FC Porto.

Commenting on the experience Miguel said: "I was shocked, happy and excited to be called up.

Miguel Cunha - pictured in Bishop's Stortford Swifts' colours

"At first when I was playing I was a bit frightened but it went pretty well. I scored twice in four of the training matches we played. Afterwardsthe national coach said well done and that they'd be in touch with an assessment of how I did."

Miguel moved to Bishop's Stortford with his family eight years ago when his father, Captain Paulo Cunha, joined Ryanair's fledgling operation at Stansted airport as a pilot.

When he was nine Miguel played in the football school of the world-renowned Benfica club.

His father has retained contacts with friends in Benfica and kept them abreast of his progress in English football.

Miguel has also played in Holland and Denmark for the East Anglian Boys, a team made up of players drawn from clubs throughout the region.

More in this week's Stansted Life