League calendar released

Reigning league champions Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin their defence of the title against newly promoted FC Vizela, it was announced at the draw on Thursday at the Centro de Congressos da Alfândega do Porto.

The season will get underway on the weekend of August 7-8th, and will close on May 15th with a game against CD Santa Clara at the  Estádio José Alvalade.

Fixtures against FC Porto (home) and SL Benfica (away) in the first half of the season are set for Matchdays 5 and 13, respectively.

Rúben Amorim named Best Coach and Pedro Gonçalves Best Young Player

Sporting CP captain Sebastián Coates has been voted Liga NOS' Best Player for the 2020/21 season, it was announced on Thursday at the Gala Kick-Off at the Centro de Congressos da Alfândega do Porto.

The Uruguayan international received the most votes by the coaches and captains of the sides participating in the Primeira Liga. Coates played 33 games of a possible 34 in the league, being named Man Of The Match on three occasions and leading the most solid defence in the competition -conceding just 20 goals all season. The centre back also showed his attacking talent, scoring five goals. He beat teammates João Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves in the voting.

"I'm very happy with this award, and I want to thank everyone who voted for me," said Coates. "The Portuguese league is very competitive, but of course you can always improve. Year after year, the league has grown a lot and has several teams and coaches that have evolved greatly. For foreign players, it's a league where we like to play, and Portugal is a country that always welcomes those who come in from abroad."

Looking ahead to 2021/22, Coates added that "As a group we have well defined goals, and the first competition up is the Supertaça. Like last season, we have to take things game by game and be very focused. Every match will be difficult and we have to concentrate."

 
Rúben Amorim, who led the team to their first league title in 19 years, scooped the Best Coach award, ahead of Daniel Ramos of CD Santa Clara and Pepa of FC Paços de Ferreira. As always, he was keen to give credit to those who had helped him.

"Without my coaching staff, none of this would be possible. The award is not 'mine,' it's 'ours.' The staff are very good at what they do, and they deserve a lot of merit for the title. I should also mention everybody behind the scenes at Sporting CP, President Frederico Varandas, Hugo Viana and, above all, the players," said the coach, accompanied by his assistants in his video acceptance speech.
 
"Is unity the secret to success? Of course the results help, but yes, it is. My coaching staff and I have come a long way together; we've been through a lot. They are very capable and I'm not very overbearing, therefore it's an easy coexistence. Everything went well during the season and, when that is the case, everything gets easier."
 
"We can't deviate from the path we've established, and a title doesn't change what we want this year. We still have distances to cut to our rivals. Our players were champions, but they're still young. That said, obviously we're going to try to win the league. Last season we believed in it, but now we know it's possible because we've already done it. We will go game by game, but with our eyes on trophies -especially the Supertaça," he stressed.

Pedro Gonçalves, the top scorer in the league with a total of 23 goals, was voted the Best Young Player in the competition, receiving more votes than teammate Nuno Mendes and also Portimonense SC striker Beto.

"I couldn't even have dreamt that I would have a season like I did, but I want to thank everyone who voted for me. Without my teammates I could never have reached this level. They helped me a lot during the season," 'Pote' commented.

"For this new season I can promise that I will work hard every day. If I do well in training, the coach will give me opportunities on the pitch. The only thought for the team at the moment is the Supertaça. After that, we'll think about the league," concluded the forward who became the first man to win Best Young Player for a second consecutive season.

Returning fullback presented as new No.47

Despite having already worked with Rúben Amorim at his previous club, the defender believes that he will receive no special treatment -not least because the coach fields those who work best during the week.

"Any player who is at Sporting CP deserves to play. We know that under Rúben Amorim those who work well, play, whether they are Player A, B or C. This is very good, because any player who works well is always prepared to play. There are no individuals who are above the collective, and this was apparent last season. We all start at the same level, and then it's up to the manager to decide. We will all work hard to help the team in the best way," he assured.

Finally, Esgaio addressed the fans, commenting that "I appreciate the fantastic support you have given me in recent days. It has been amazing. Thank you very much."

Monday was a busy day for the returning squad

After completing the customary physical and medical examinations during Monday morning, the Sporting Clube de Portugal squad took to the pitch in the afternoon for their first preseason training session.

Coach Rúben Amorim put the players through their paces on their return from the summer break, with ball work involved as well as a series of cardio drills.

The 23-man group will be back at the Academia Sporting on Tuesday for another session, held behind closed doors.

Rúben Amorim's squad undertake medicals on Monday morning

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad returned from a summer break to start their 2021/22 preseason this Monday, with the customary medical examinations and fitness tests with the Performance and Medical departments beginning proceedings.

Some 23 players were present:Antonio Adán, Luís Maximiano, André Paulo, Diego Callai, Pedro Porro, Vitorino Antunes, Zouhair Feddal, Tiago Ferreira, Gonçalo Inácio, Luís Neto, Eduardo Quaresma, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Nunes, Paulinho, Rodrigo Fernandes, Dário Essugo, Bruno Tabata, Jovane Cabral, Nuno Santos, Tiago Tomás, Pedro Marques, Joelson Fernandes and Flávio Nazinho.

Matheus Reis is in isolation, due to his having travelled from Brazil, whilst João Palhinha, Nuno Mendes and Pedro Gonçalves (Portugal), Sebastián Coates (Uruguay) and Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador) are still away with their respective national teams after participation in Euro 2020 and the Copa America tournaments.

The opening training session for the squad takes place on Monday afternoon.

New kit supplier for "Leões"

Sporting Clube de Portugal's 2021/2022 season gets underway this week with a return to the training ground and the incorporation of a very special 'guest': Sportswear manufacturer Nike. Through its social media accounts, the club have welcomed the new Official Kit Supplier, which has joined forces with Sporting CP as of this summer.

The 'unboxing' of Sporting CP's new training kit was made by the first team players this Monday as they got back to work, with a box left in the dressing room containing the new apparel.

On July 1st -the 115th anniversary of Sporting Clube de Portugal's existence- the club will reveal the new first team kit to members and fans.

The first to wear and publicise the new shirt will be all those who took up the pre-sale reservation option during the 'Believe' blind-sale campaign.

The club thank all members and fans for their support, and are looking forward to a stylish and successful new season.

The midfielder is part of the best XI voted on by his peers

Pedro Gonçalves has become the sixth Sporting Clube de Portugal player named in the 2020/21 Liga NOS Team Of The Year, voted on by coaches and captains of top flight teams in Portugal.

In his debut season with the club, Gonçalves had an immediate and decisive impact, scoring a total of 23 goals. He was Liga NOS' top scorer in the campaign, and also provided a further 2 assists.

A constant presence in the starting XI, he played 32 league games -in which he was named Man Of The Match on eight occasions.

As a result of his remarkable season at the Estádio José Alvalade, Gonçalves has taken another step forward in his career with a first callup for the Portuguese national team, and is part of the squad selected by coach Fernando Santos for this summer's Euro 2020 tournament.

Twice the winner of the Player Of The Month award in Liga NOS, and three times Midfielder of the Month, 'Pote' joins Antonio Adán, Pedro Porro, Sebastián Coates, Nuno Mendes and João Palhinha in being part of the Team Of The Year.

The Sporting CP captain was one of the standouts in 2020/21

Sebastián Coates has been chosen in the Team Of The Season for the 2020/21 Liga NOS season, it was announced this past Sunday by the league's governing body. The Sporting Clube de Portugal defender came out on top in the voting carried out amongst coaches and captains of the top flight sides from the campaign.

At the age of 30, Coates captained the team to their first national title in 19 years, and was almost an ever-present in the season, playing 33 of the 34 Liga NOS matches. Along the way, he won the Man Of The Match award on three occasions.

The defender was magnificent throughout the year, as a crucial component of the side that conceded the fewest goals. Sporting CP would ship just 20 over the course of the season, whilst Coates would also contribute goals of his own: He found the net on five occasions, including some late winners and equalisers.

A three-time winner of the Defender of the Month award, he was also named Liga NOS Player of the Month for April.

Coates joins teammates Antonio Adán and Pedro Porro in the league's Team Of The Season.

Liga NOS honour the Spanish defender for his performances

Pedro Porro has been included in Liga NOS' Team Of The Season for 2020/21, in recognition of a breakout season for the young Spaniard.

The Sporting Clube de Portugal player was chosen in the voting by coaches and captains of every side in the Portuguese top flight. His inclusion was announced this past Saturday.

In his first season at the club, Porro had an immediate impact and became a mainstay on the right of the defence, playing 30 Liga NOS games and winning two Man Of The Match awards. He also contributed three goals and four assists.

Strong performances throughout the season allowed Porro to be called up for the Spanish national team, earning his first cap for 'La Roja.'

After having being named Defender of the Month in the league three times, Pedro Porro is now awarded the right back a spot in the Team Of The Season.

Mendes, Palhinha and Gonçalves receive Euro 2020 call-ups

Sporting Clube de Portugal will provide three players for the Portuguese national team in this summer's European Championship tournament, scheduled to get underway in June.

Nuno Mendes, João Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves are the three members of Os Leões named on the 26-man squad list, announced by coach Fernando Santos on Thursday.

Mendes and Palhinha retain places in the squad, whilst Pedro Gonçalves receives a first senior call-up. He recently finished the Liga NOS season as top goalscorer in the competition.

Portugal are part of Group F in Euro 2020, and will face Hungary (June 15th), Germany (June 19th) and France (June 23rd) in their defence of their title.