Who are the best Sporting CP players in history? From global superstars to a famed youth academy and homegrown legends, this is a club with a proud history.
These 10 players represent the heart and soul of Sporting CP and their contributions to the club’s success have left a lasting legacy. Here’s the ten best Sporting players ever:
10. Nani
Nani sets the trend as a product of Sporting CP’s famed youth academy having joined as a 16-year old. It wasn’t long before Europe’s biggest clubs noticed his blistering pace and exceptional skill on the ball.
Before his big move to Manchester United, Nani quickly became a fan favorite during his initial two seasons at Sporting. He’d join for another two seasons throughout his career and dazzling his way to four cup trophies in Portugal.
9. Pedro Barbosa
Pedro Barbosa is considered one of Sporting CP’s greatest players due to his exceptional technical skills, creativity, and leadership on the field. Across ten seasons the attacking midfielder played a key role in the club’s success during the 1990s and early 2000s.
A master at controlling the tempo of the game and creating opportunities for his teammates, Barbosa won the Primeira Liga twice, was a UEFA Cup runner-up in 2005, and played more than 300 games for Sporting.
8. Leidson
Liedson is one of the best Sporting CP players of all time and was remarkably consistent across his eight seasons at the club. The Brazilian striker scored 173 goals in 313 total appearances for the club.
Known for his quickness, excellent positioning, and clinical finishing, Liedson was instrumental in leading Sporting to the UEFA Cup final in 2005 and his passion endeared him to fans of the club.
7. Hector Yazalde
Renowned for his lethal left foot, Héctor Yazalde is regarded as one of Sporting CP’s greatest players due to his incredible goal-scoring ability and contribution to the club’s success in the 1970s.
Across four seasons Yazalde’s clinical finishing helped Sporting to a Primeira Liga title in the 1973-74 season, the same season he scored 46 goals and going on to win the European Golden Shoe.
6. Krasimir Balakov
Midfielder Krasimir Balakov was a hero back in his native Bulgaria as well as for Sporting CP. Arriving in 1991 he had a reputation for his technical precision, intelligence, skill, vision, and playmaking ability.
Despite only a lone Portuguese Cup, Balakov was a club standout during the 1990s. Across five seasons he featured in 138 Primeira Liga games, scored 43 goals, and even made the 1994 World Cup All-Star Team.
5. João Moutinho
Signing as a 13-year old to the youth academy, João Moutinho made his first-team debut at the age of 17 and quickly became an integral part of Sporting’s midfield with his excellent vision and passing range.
After winning the Portuguese Cup twice in six seasons he then signed with rivals FC Porto where he won three titles before moving to Monaco and a stint in the Premier League with Wolverhampton.
4. Manuel Fernandes
Debuting in 1975, Manuel Fernandes became one of the best Sporting CP players of all time. Always showing unwavering leadership, and commitment on the field, the striker was indispensable to the team with his elite finishing.
Across three stints and 433 appearances in all competitions he retired with 257 goals, the second most in club history. He also finished as top goalscorer in the Primeira Liga in 1985-86 and won two league titles.
3. Fernando Peyroteo
A Portuguese footballing legend, Fernando Peyroteo is one of the best Sporting CP players of all time. Debuting in 1937 he featured in 12 seasons for the club and appeared in 334 games in total.
Peyroteo was a deadly finisher and dominated with an impressive strike rate scoring 544 goals for the club. He helped lead the club to five Primeira Liga titles and was the league’s top goalscorer on six occasions.
2. Luís Figo
A famed product of the Sporting CP youth academy, Luís Figo joined the club as an 11-year old before going on to feature at the club for six years. He’d then move on to Barcelona and Real Madrid where he’d be crowned with the 2000 Ballon d’Or.
Figo was one of the most impressive wingers of his generation with undeniable skills that made him a global star. A then-world record €62 million move was needed to move him between bitter rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
The prodigal son of Sporting CP, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the club in 1997 as a 12-year old and made his senior team debut in a Champions League qualifying match against Inter Milan at 17 years of age where he dazzled the world with his raw talent.
Before Cristiano Ronaldo went on to revolutionise world football he played a single season in the Primeira Liga in 2002-03, scoring three goals from 25 games. Although only a brief senior career, his five-year spell with the Sporting CP youth academy laid the groundwork for a phenomenal career.
Leave a Reply