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

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

The intention clearly stated by the Alvalade management is, solely and exclusively, to loan the player to a Liga Portugal Betclic club. The plan is to place 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 product 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 secure a place in the main squad.

In addition to this rigorous character ‘test’, the primary objective is to ensure the player gains real experience and minutes on the pitch. Although the Second League offers competitiveness, Sporting’s management believes that regular matches 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 – has taken on a leading role. In the 22 official matches played in the II Liga and Elite League U-20, the 20-year-old star, valued at 190 thousand euros, has totaled 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.