Sporting's Portuguese praised abroad: underrated beyond the Big Five | OneFootball

The Rising Stars XI page, which follows young talents, ranked Eduardo Quaresma as one of the most underrated centre-backs outside Europe’s five major leagues. The recognition comes precisely after the player started in Sporting’s Champions League opener.

The player was one of the new faces in Rui Borges’ starting eleven against Galatasaray (3-1), coming in for Zeno Debast. The 24-year-old defender partnered Gonçalo Inácio and stayed on the pitch until the 84th minute, when he was replaced by the Belgian.

Although Sporting conceded early and faced difficulties during the first half, the team managed to turn the score around and eventually won. Quaresma also played an important role in the closing stages, winning a free-kick in his own half in the 70th minute, before going off near the end.

The Rising Stars XI post carries even more weight because of the page’s history with the player. In the past, Quaresma had already been included in an ideal under-23 XI, alongside names such as Lamine Yamal and Kenan Yildiz, in a selection where he was highlighted among the best talents of his generation.

The recognition comes at an important time for the defender, who recently renewed his contract with Sporting until 2031. Developed at Alvalade, the number 72 is looking to firmly establish himself in Rui Borges’ defensive options.

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