Former Fábio Coentrão teammate set to join Sporting | OneFootball

Nuno Santos, who was a teammate of Fábio Coentrão, is getting closer to recovering from the serious injury he suffered. The winger from the Alvalade club gave up the three-day break granted by Rui Borges to the Sporting squad in order to continue working on his comeback. By all indications, the 30-year-old winger is expected to return to action at the beginning of 2026.

The date for Nuno Santos to wear the Sporting jersey again has seen some advances and setbacks. Now, it seems that the winger should be back on the pitch and training with his teammates in the coming weeks. At the start of 2026, it is likely that the 30-year-old player will return to official matches.

On October 26, 2024, during Sporting’s away match against Famalicão, Nuno Santos suffered a very serious injury. In a contested play with Zaydou Youssouf, the Lions’ winger sustained a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee, which would keep him off the pitch for more than a year.

“He has improved immensely. I am aware that he is better and getting closer every day. Hopefully, in January I can count on him, and he’ll give me selection headaches, but I’m not worried about that headache, because I’m happy to have him with me. He’s a true warrior, an example for all of us, teammates and coaches,” said Rui Borges, in the preview of Santa Clara – Sporting, about Nuno Santos.

Nuno Santos – valued at 7 million euros – arrived at Sporting in 2020 from Rio Ave for 4.15 million euros (according to Transfermarkt data). Since then, the 30-year-old winger has played 196 matches, scored 34 goals, provided 42 assists, and won seven titles (three National Championships, one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, one Portuguese Cup, and two League Cups).

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