Sporting Lisbon Name Famous Club Academy After Cristiano Ronaldo
Sporting Lisbon have named their famous academy after former player and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo came through the Sporting Lisbon youth system and broke into the first team as a 17-year-old in 2002 before joining Manchester United after just one season following an impressive outing against the Red Devils in a pre-season game.
Ronaldo’s star continued to shine in Manchester, where he won three Premier League titles, the 2008 UEFA Champions League and the first of his five Ballon d’Ors.
A world record move to Real Madrid came in the summer of 2009 and nine seasons in the Spanish capital brought Ronaldo four more Champions League and Ballon d’or honours.
The 35-year-old has helped Juventus to two Scudetto titles since joining from Los Blancos two years ago.
Ronaldo has also tasted international success with Portugal, skippering his national team to European Championship and Nations League glory in 2016 and 2019 respectively.
The Sporting Lisbon academy has produced some of Portugal’s best talents like Luis Figo, Nani and Joao Moutinho but the 18-time Portuguese champions have opted to rename it Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, in honour of the country’s most famous football export.
"It is with great honour that Sporting Clube de Portugal informs that the Clube Academy will be renamed Academia Cristiano Ronaldo,” Sporting Lisbon announced on their website.
"The good son makes the house and the house that made Cristiano Ronaldo now welcomes his name in honour of the one who became the best Portuguese player of all time, the best player in the world, was awarded the Ballon d'Or five times and captained the national team to European Championship and Nations League success.
"Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Leonina family in 1997 at the age of 12. On August 14, 2002, at just 17 years old, he made his senior debut against Inter.
"The Academy will thus immortalise the name of the greatest symbol ever formed and that will be an inspiration to follow for all the youngest talents.
"On a date to be announced, and as soon as conditions permit, the club will make the official inauguration.
