Official! Varandas backs William as Sporting strike deal with player | OneFootball

It’s official. Sporting have signed a professional contract with Mário William, a 16-year-old centre-back who has been part of the Club for the past five seasons. In 2025/26, the player represented Sporting’s under-17 team (which finished in fourth place), recording 32 appearances, three goals and three assists.

After signing the new deal, the player revealed that his passion for football began at a very early age: "The first time I saw a pitch, I told my mother I wanted to play football. I started my journey at Dragon Force and then moved to Pedrouços, where my friends were. I went through Rio Tinto because my coach changed clubs, then Leixões and the Sporting Solar do Norte branch", he said.

The move to the Academy came when he was just 11 years old, beginning a connection with Sporting that has lasted since the 2021/22 season: "I believe every footballer dreams of feeling this. I don’t have many words to describe it. Pride in my work, happiness... now it’s about carrying on, because this is only the beginning", he said.

As well as playing in central defence, Mário William can also operate in midfield, a trait he values greatly. Asked about his role models, he highlighted a player from the green-and-white first team. "My example is Zeno Debast, because although we are physically different, I believe we are very similar in our quality on the ball and intelligence on the pitch", he explained.

: "A lot of effort and dedication. I will always give my maximum and I promise that, on and off the pitch, I will be an example for the Club. I will honour all the responsibilities entrusted to me", he assured.

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