Sporting star crowned league king, keeps promise to Rui Borges | OneFootball

Pedro Gonçalves is coming off a less successful season due to a long absence caused by injury. However, the player had promised that, in 2025/26, he would raise his level, something he is already delivering on at the start of this season, which can easily be proven by the numbers.

At this point, the reality is that Pote is one of the standouts not only for Sporting, but also in Liga Portugal Betclic when it comes to various offensive metrics. Against Moreirense, he only scored from a penalty kick, but the ‘number 8’ still managed to stand out by setting a new record for shots on target, with six out of a total of eight in a single match.

In the six matchdays played so far, Pedro Gonçalves already has eight goal involvements, 14 shots on target, and eight through passes—which puts him at the top of the league in these categories. The Portuguese international is also on the podium among National Championship players for total shots (28) and big chances created (5)—second place in both cases—, and he ranks third for chances created (14), touches in the opposition box (34), expected goals (3.8), shots per 90 minutes (4.3), and shots on target per 90’ (2.5).

Pote’s form is not going unnoticed at Sporting. In fact, the green and white management is working on renewing the player’s contract and, according to reports, both parties have already reached an agreement to extend Rui Borges’ starter’s contract until 2030, with a salary increase included.

This season, wearing the Sporting shirt, Pedro Gonçalves—valued at 30 million euros—has already played eight matches: six in Liga Portugal, one in the Champions League, and another in the Super Cup. During the 664 minutes he has played, the ‘number 8’ for the Lions has already scored five goals and provided three assists.

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