Exclusive Leonino - Sporting to loan midfielder to league rival in 2026/27 | OneFootball

Sporting is already preparing for the next season and has defined the future of Manuel Mendonça. According to our newspaper, in an Exclusive Leonino, the SAD led by Frederico Varandas has decided that the midfielder from the B team will be loaned to a top-tier club in 2026/27, aiming for his sustained development.

The intention expressed by the Alvalade officials is solely and exclusively to loan the athlete to a Liga Portugal Betclic club. The plan is to put the midfielder in direct contact with the highest demands of national football, allowing for effective monitoring of his performance in an elite competitive context.

The entire structure sees the young Sporting academy player as a safe bet for the medium-term future. The strategy involves testing Manuel Mendonça's ability to adapt and respond away from the comfort of Alcochete, to see if he demonstrates the necessary maturity to later take a place in the main squad.

Besides this rigorous character 'exam', the primary goal is to ensure the player accumulates real experience and minutes on the field. Although the Second League offers competitiveness, Sporting's management believes that regularity against top opponents will be decisive for his tactical and mental growth, preparing him for greater challenges.

This season, Manuel Mendonça - secured with a contract renewal until June 2028 - takes on full prominence. In the 22 official matches played in the II League and Elite League under-20, the 20-year-old star, valued at 190 thousand euros, totals 1,436 minutes, with one goal and three assists to his name.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.