Rui Borges likes what he sees, stops Sporting showing player the door | OneFootball

Ricardo Mangas was close to leaving Sporting in this transfer window, but the situation has changed in recent weeks. The left-back even had a move to Panathinaikos lined up, but the deal ultimately fell through, and the player has taken the opportunity to convince Sporting’s coaching staff.

The Portuguese defender’s performances in pre-season have been one of the factors weighing on Rui Borges’ decision. According to newspaper A Bola, the player has given positive signs in the preparation work and now has a strong chance of staying in the squad.

One of his standout moments came in the match against Celtic, in which the full-back delivered a positive performance and contributed a goal to Sporting’s 4-1 win over the Scottish side. In addition, Maxi Araújo’s temporary absence allowed the player to take on a bigger role in Sporting’s starting eleven.

At 28, Ricardo Mangas remains under contract with Sporting until 2029 and has a release clause set at €60 million. The defender arrived at Alvalade from Spartak Moscow for around €320,000 and is now looking to secure a permanent place among the options.

In the 2025/26 season, wearing the Sporting shirt, Ricardo Mangas – valued at €2 million - made 23 appearances. Across the 1,355 minutes in which he was used by Rui Borges, the footballer recorded two goals and two assists.

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