Nuno Santos takes a step back at Sporting, reasons revealed | OneFootball

Nuno Santos did not travel with the rest of the Sporting delegation to the North of the country, where the green and whites will face Moreirense, this Saturday, February 21st, at 18:00. As such, the Portuguese player is once again not among the options for the lions for the third time since his official return to the main squad.

According to information provided by the newspaper Record in its latest edition, the absence of the 31-year-old winger is not related to physical problems. However, Rui Borges and the rest of the coaching staff continue to carefully manage the 'number 11'.

Recovered from a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee - a very serious injury that kept him out of competition for 15 months - the left winger is now taking his first steps back to the highest level. The reintegration was done prudently: he started with the B team, gained competitive rhythm, and has since returned to the main team's squad.

He even participated in the match against AVS SAD for the Portuguese Cup, playing 43 minutes. The initial idea was for more controlled use, but the extension required more exposure than anticipated in the first game back with the main Sporting team.

Nuno Santos – valued at 7 million euros – joined Sporting in 2020, coming from Rio Ave, for 4.15 million euros (Transfermarkt data). Since then, the 30-year-old winger has played 197 matches, scored 34 goals, provided 42 assists, and won seven titles (three National Championships, one Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup, one Portuguese Cup, and two League Cups).

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