In 1996, Sporting began a new lease of life, with the actions of José Roquette and other determined characters and leaders entering Sporting into a period of dynamic transformation. Leaders such as Miguel Galvão Teles, Dias da Cunha and Ernesto Ferreira da Silva. These man played their part in approving new statutes that where fit to face the modern age and would lay the foundations for a business group and Society of Soccer Sports (SAD) that would be admitted into the Portuguese Stock Exchange in 1998. In addition to this sweeping transformation, the club also promoted various measures to encourage transparency in the business relationships of the Club, as well as in tax and social security matters.

The ambitious process of transformation in this period guided Sporting down a path of modernisation of its practices and infrastructures that began long before the Candidature to host Euro 2004 in Portugal was organised.

The reshaping of Sporting during this period became known as the "Roquette Project", which was generally understood as being a program of dynamic modernisation of the club on three fronts: Sports, through the rationalisation and optimisation of resources available via the updating of the clubs functionality; Patrimonial aspects, that provided the club with a multi-functional and profitable elements; And finally the modernisation of the clubs organisation, characterised by an invigorated form that combined dedication and professionalism in a manner that was ready to deal with the present without mortgaging the future of the club.

Also in 1998, Sporting began the idealisation and construction of the stadium of a new generation. A stadium that would stand amongst the best in the world and would be inaugurated on the 6th of August 2003 in a ceremony that would be emotionally charged and truly a unforgettable night for all Sportinguistas.

In complimenting the new stadium, a new Alvalade XXI complex would also be built that would only work to further strengthen the mulitifuctionality of the clubs latest achievement. The area where Sporting was born continued to live and was revitalised with the building of the Viscount of Alvalade building: A building that would serve as the housing for the clubs companies. A new shopping centre called Alvaláxia would also be opened that would operate as a cultural and entertainment centre for everyday, as well as matchday, use. A medical clinic, a health club and a day-centre would all also be opened in this mammoth expression of the solidarity of the "Lions of Portugal" and the inauguration of the clubs museum offered the chance for all Sportinguistas to submerge themselves in the fabulous, living, tail that is Sporting Clube de Portugal.

In 2000, in a campaign followed closely by the passionate supporters and members of Sporting, Sporting would reconquer the National Football Championship after 17 long years in absence. The final game of the season saw a sweeping 4-0 victory on the fields of Salgueiros, which would be followed by a nationwide party that reached out to all Sportinguistas across the world who had been starved of this prestigious title. The title however would again return to Sporting in 2002. A Portuguese cup and a Super Cup of Portugal also reinforced the new footballing dynamic that now existed in Sporting: A dynamic that would drive Sporting all the way to the final of the prestigious UEFA Cup Final. The atmosphere at Estádio José Alvalade was electric as Sporting hosted the final. Sporting would lose the game 1-3 to CSKA Moscow after 14 games that expressed Sporting's excellent European pedigree. This loss however did nothing to deduct from the importance of this campaign in the hearts of all Sportinguistas.

Throughout its long history, the football team of Sporting has enjoyed much European success, reaching 2 European finals and 2 European semi-finals: once in the Cup winner´s Cup in 1974 and the other in the UEFA Cup in 1994, in both cases losing to the eventual winner of the competition.

At the start of its second century, Sporting was in no doubt in an enviable state of health: reinforced by the excellence of the work completed by the teams of Sporting in the previous decades; teams that continue to bear fruit and win titles.
Sporting has long held an advantage over its opponents, boasting the best athletics, futsal, table tennis and women's swimming teams, with recent titles also reinforcing again Sporting's dominance in athletics and handball. Sporting also holds most titles in futsal: a relatively new discipline in which Sporting has enjoyed national, as well as international success.

At the same time, Sporting's athletes have been fighting for victory on all fronts. As Sporting commemorates its centenary, the efforts to keep the club in pole-position on all fronts continue: Ensuring that the club is well prepared to deal with the present, as well as the future. The drive to maintain Sporting as Portugal's premier club consistently, as well as one of the best in Europe, continues.

It was Sporting's founding fathers that created the drive to maintain Sporting as on of Europe's biggest clubs: A drive that traces its roots all the way back to the ephemeral Sport club da Belas and the fateful match against the group from Sintra. The work of all Sportinguistas has been characterised over the past 100 years by endless dedication, passion and ambition. Regardless of who carries the baton out front for Sporting, one thing remains certain: Sporting is the greatest sports club in Portugal and one of the best in Europe.