After recovering from two ACLs, behold the magic of Daniel Bragança | OneFootball

Daniel Bragança has been a revelation this season since returning from his second ACL injury (Photo: Arlindo Homem ©)

In Gameweek 32, as Porto were crowned champions, Benfica gave arch-rivals Sporting a glimmer of hope in the heated pursuit for second place and potentially, presence in the next edition of the UEFA Champions League.

In a vintage performance for Rui Borges’ men (with plenty of technical ability on display for multiple goals), is it too little, too late after dropping points to relegated AFS and relegation threatened Tondela?

Invincible Benfica were held to their tenth stalemate of the season as the likes of Daniel Bragança shone, as Sporting looked invigorated without the weight of expectation and the physical demands of two matches per week.

Nothing can overshadow Daniel Bragança who has managed to recover from another ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament, this time in his left knee.

This is the story of how the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week overcame career defining difficulties. Kevin Fernandes reports.

Made in Santarém, Destined for Sporting

From the parish of Fazendas de Almeirim in the Santarém, Daniel Santos Bragança started his footballing journey at curiously named local side Footkart Escola Futebol Karting Associação.

Born in 1999, Daniel Bragança has represented Sporting Clube de Portugal since 2007. Most of his life has been spent in green and white, from a boy to adulthood.

At youth level, Bragança won two league titles (U-17 and U-19) and was quickly recognised as a top talent, immediately catching the eye of spectators as he operated in midfield with a characteristic elegant grace and supreme technical ability,

Loan spells at Estoril Praia and Farense confirmed that Bragança could dictate play with his nonchalant, refined style at senior level.

The trials and tribulations in the top-flight

In declarations for Sporting TV upon reaching 150 senior matches for the Lions, Daniel Bragança said: “Above all, it’s a feeling of pride. I’d already reached the 100-game milestone, and now I’ve hit the 150-game mark. For me, it’s a feeling of pride to represent Sporting CP, as always. It’s something I’ll remember forever.”

From injuries to winning six trophies (including three Liga Portugal titles) to captaining the club he carries in his heart, Daniel Bragança has experienced it all at Sporting.

However, since being integrated into the first team in 2020, Bragança has only played 4059 minutes of Liga Portugal football. That is the equivalent to approximately 45 full matches across six years.

Despite all his talent, Bragança has never been an undisputed starter for Sporting. Ruben Amorim preferred the likes of Matheus Nunes to his low tempo dictator, while Rui Borges often masks the out-of-possession limitations of Bragança by placing the technician as a recognised No10.

This season Bragança has shown a goal touch like never before, netting 6 times in his 22 appearances since returning from his second ACL injury at the start of the calendar year. It should be noted those 22 appearances equate to just 719 minutes.

Daniel, the maestro

Bragança was never the fastest, strongest in duels and has never been brilliant when asked to defend in an organised block, but he comes into his own when his magical left-foot receives the ball.

Elite close control, incisive passing and clinical box-crashing ability defines Bragança, who made his name as a deep-lying playmaker in his early career.

As a No8 or as a No10, as a squad player for ‘Os Leões’ or as a starter elsewhere – the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week guarantees magic and is the archetype of an aesthetically pleasing player we love to watch.