Leonino exclusive - Sporting star out indefinitely, Varandas stunned | OneFootball

Paulo Iago still has no set date to return to competition, Leonino has learned. The young Spaniard remains sidelined due to recurring physical problems that have hampered his spell at Sporting and, at this stage, there is still no concrete forecast for his return.

As our newspaper has learned, the green-and-white officials continue to closely monitor the player’s recovery, but do not intend to set deadlines that could place additional pressure on the process. The priority is to allow Paulo Iago to make a full recovery before returning to competition.

The physical situation has been one of the main obstacles to the youngster’s breakthrough since his arrival at Alvalade in September 2024. Signed after standing out in Real Madrid’s academy, Paulo Iago arrived at Sporting surrounded by great expectations, even being considered Lamine Yamal’s rival, but he has never managed to find the continuity needed to confirm all the potential attributed to him.

As Leonino had already reported, the structure led by Frederico Varandas has been following the succession of physical setbacks with some concern. The Spaniard was even subjected to another surgical procedure almost a year ago, extending a period of absence that has heavily affected his development.

Paulo Iago’s last official match for Sporting dates back to early November 2025, in the Youth League. Since then, the focus has been almost entirely on physical recovery, with no safe window yet for a return to competition.

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