Pedro Silva, Luís Maximiano, Pedro Empis, Miguel Luís and Pedro Delgado for Portugal

A total of five Sporting CP players will feature in the Portuguese under-20 squad for the coming World Cup, being held from the 20th of May to the 11th of June in South Korea.

Portugal is in Group C, along with Iran, Zambia and Costa Rica.

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: Pedro Silva (SPORTING), Diogo Costa (FC Porto) and Luís Maximiano (SPORTING);

Defenders: Pedro Empis (SPORTING), Diogo Dalot (FC Porto), Yuri Ribeiro (Benfica), Rúben Dias (Benfica), Jorge Fernandes (FC Porto) and Ferro (Benfica);

Midfielders: Pedro Rodrigues (Benfica), Florentino (Benfica), Gedson Fernandes (Benfica), Miguel Luís (SPORTING), Pedro Delgado (SPORTING), Xadas (Sp. Braga), Diogo Gonçalves (Benfica), Buta (Benfica) and Bruno Costa (FC Porto);

Forwards: Alexandre Silva (Vitória de Guimarães), José Gomes (Benfica) and André Ribeiro (Zurich).

Pedro Silva, Luís Maximiano, Pedro Empis, Pedro Delgado and Ronaldo Tavares feature in Emílio Peixe's list

Sporting CP goalkeepers Pedro Silva and Luís Maximiano, the defender Pedro Empis, midfielder Pedro Delgado and the forward Ronaldo Tavares all feature in the latest Portugal under-20 squad list.

Emílio Peixe's side will take on South Korea on January the 25th of January at 15h00, as part of preparations for World Cup 2017.

Pedro Empis rallies the troops ahead of the week's trip to Coimbra

Sporting CP B will travel to Coimbra to face Ledman LigaPro second-placed outfit Académica this week, but Pedro Empis is not intimidated the the former Liga NOS opposition.

"We haven't turned in the best results lately, but we know we are playing good football. We are creating chances and that brings confidence, no matter who you are playing against. Académica are a really strong side, with a logn history in Portuguese football. They defend well and it will be a hard match, but we want the three points as always", said the Alvalade defender.

Rúben Semedo and Pedro Empis in list of 23 which also features Sporting's Daniel Podence, Tobias Figueiredo, Francisco Geraldes and Domingos Duarte

National under-21 coach Rui Jorge has called up 23 players for the Euro 2017 qualifiers against Hungary and Liechtenstein, for which Portugal has already secured qualification.

Rúben Semedo and Pedro Empis (making his under-21 debut) both feature in a squad that also includes on loan Sporting players Domingos Duarte (Belenenses), Daniel Podence (Moreirense), Francisco Geraldes (Moreirense) and Tobias Figueiredo. 

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: André Moreira (At. Madrid), Bruno Varela (V. Setúbal) and Miguel Silva (V. Guimarães);

Defenders: Domingos Duarte (Belenenses), Edgar Ié (Villarreal), Fernando Fonseca (FC Porto), Pedro Rebocho (Moreirense), Rúben Semedo (Sporting CP), Pedro Empis (Sporting CP) and Tobias Figueiredo (Nacional);

Midfielders: André Horta (Benfica), Bruno Fernandes (Sampdoria), Francisco Geraldes (Moreirense), João Carvalho (Benfica), João Teixeira (Wolves), Rony Lopes (Lille) and Rúben Neves (FC Porto);

Forwards: Simão Azevedo (Braga), Bruma (Galatasaray), Daniel Podence (Moreirense), Diogo Jota (FC Porto), Gonçalo Guedes (Benfica) and Ricardo Horta (Braga).

Pedro Empis in his first interview after penning new three-year deal

Pedro Empis took a moment to speak with the Sporting Journal, in his first interview after agreeing an additional three seasons with the club. Having always been a fan, the decision was an easy one for the 19-year old wing back.

"This really is great. The objective for any player in the youth system is to get into the senior team. I still have a lot to do and for now I will be with the B team, but I will do my best to take everything on board. The hardest step for any player is going from the youth system into senior football. I will have the chance to work with some of the older lads now and that experience will help be grow", said Empis, going on to reflect on his time with Portugal's under-19 national team that recently reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals: "It showed me that most of the other countries have some really strong teams, rather than playing technical football. It isn't enough to play well, you have to be in good shape as well."

Right back extends stay in Alvalade for another three seasons

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Pedro Empis for the renewal of the player's contract until June 2019, with a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Pedro Empis the best of professional and personal success.

Draw with Russia leaves Portugal needing a win

The national under-19 team were held by Russia this weekend, on matchday two of Euro Elite Round Group 6.

With Alvalade stars Com Pedro Silva and Pedro Empis in Emílio Peixe's starting line-up, Portugal were actually leading 1-0 at the break, courtesy of a goal form Pedro Delgado (41’). However, the Russians managed to split the points with a last minute strike from Obolski.

The result means that Portugal must win on Tuesday if they are to move on in to the European Championship Finals.

Portugal open Euro qualifiers with dominating display

The national under-19 team opened their Euro Elite Round campaign off to a convincing start this week with a 4-0 win against Sweden in Vila do Conde.

With Alvalade stars Pedro Silva and Pedro Empis in the starting line-up, Portugal were already 3-0 up at half-time, courtesy of Alexandre Silva (13’) and Buta (23’ and 24’). Gonçalo Rodrigues finished off the scoresheet in the 64th minute.

The winner of each group will qualify for the Euro finals, to be played in Germany.

Wing-back features for national under-19 team in La Manga Tournament

Pedro Empis played the full 90 minutes against Poland for Portugal under-19's this week, on matchday 1 of the La Managa International Tournament.

Portugal trailed twice in the match (goals from Mateusz Wieteska on 19 minutes and Jakub Kuzdra on 46 minutes), but Rui Pedro (39’) and Bruno Almeida (66’) ensured the honours were split.

Portugal put four past Greece in Euro qualification tournament

The national under-19 squad finished Group 7 of the the European Championship Qualification Tournament in the best way possible this weekend, beating Greece 4-0 in Viseu.

Alvalade youngers Pedro Silva and Pedro Empis (substituted in the 66th minute for Fernando Fonseca) both started for Emílio Peixe's side, while Bubacar Djaló was introduced to the action with 13 minutes left on the clock in place of Renato Sanches. On target for Portugal were Gonçalo Rodrigues (15’), Rúben Dias (33’), Renato Sanches (70’) and Alexandre Silva (87’).

The result sees Portugal finish the mini tournament with three wins in three matches, having scored 10 and conceded none.

Also qualified for the next phase are Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, England, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, Israel, Denmark, France, Holland Czech Republic, Serbia, Belgium and Sweden.