Despite the big news, Rui Borges in no rush to bring him back at Sporting | OneFootball

Despite still being under the care of Sporting's Performance Unit, Nuno Santos returned to the pitch of the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy last Wednesday, November 19th. The player still has a lot of work ahead before being 100% integrated with the rest of the squad, but he has taken a new step forward.

On the same day that the rest of the Lions' team also returned to training after three days off, the 'number 11' only did running, as the full integration of the left-footer will be done gradually, due to the long period of inactivity. For now, Sporting does not have a set date for the player's return to competition. The medical department wants to take its time to ensure there are no setbacks in his recovery at this stage.

It is worth remembering that the winger was injured over a year ago, on October 27, 2024, during the 9th round match of the 2024/25 League in Famalicão. Nuno Santos ended up suffering a rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee and underwent surgery.

This absence was supposed to end at the end of last season, during the Portuguese Cup final against Benfica. However, that did not happen, and his return was postponed, but now the time seems to have come.

Nuno Santos – valued at 7 million euros – joined Sporting in 2020 from Rio Ave for 4.15 million euros (Transfermarkt data). Since then, the 30-year-old winger has played 196 matches, scored 34 goals, provided 42 assists, and won seven titles (three National Championships, one Cândido de Oliveira Supercup, one Portuguese Cup, and two League Cups).

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