Who is the new Quaresma of Sporting CP?

Sporting CP has always been a club renowned for nurturing young talent, and Eduardo Quaresma is a perfect example. At just 22 years old, this central defender has already overcome several major challenges that could have slowed down his career, but today he appears stronger and more determined than ever. Her journey is a true testimony of resilience. From a young talent promised to have a great career to a player who had to fight to find his place, Eduardo Quaresma now seems ready to realize his potential. After seasons marked by injuries, unsuccessful loans and moments of doubt, he is finally proving himself with Sporting, proving to everyone that he is still one of the biggest hopes in Portuguese football. A look back at the unusual trajectory of this pure product of Lisbon training.

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Promising debut at Sporting CP

Born in Barreiro in 2002, he joined the Portuguese club’s training center at the age of 9 after being spotted at GD Fabril (some sources indicate that he joined Sporting CP at the age of 6. This variation could be due to differences in the youth categories or the training programs in which he participated within the club, editor’s note). His career within Sporting’s youth teams is characterized by a rapid rise, in particular thanks to his profile as a technical, solid central defender who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. His performances within the U19s, where he stood out for his vision of the game and his ease in getting the ball out cleanly, allowed him to participate in the first team’s pre-season in 2019. During this period, he was particularly highlighted during preparation matches, notably against Liverpool in the United States. This first experience with the professionals was decisive for his progress, and Eduardo Quaresma wasted no time in joining the U23s, where he played 23 matches during the 2019-2020 season.

His talent did not go unnoticed. At the U17 Euro, he was part of the Portugal team that qualified for the quarter-finals, and despite being eliminated, he left a strong impression, attracting the attention of many European clubs. Giants like Leipzig, Milan and Atlético de Madrid showed interest in his budding talent, but even an offer of 10 million euros from the Madrid club was not enough to make Sporting give in. The Portuguese club, determined to keep his hope alive, then offered him a contract extension with a release clause of 45 million euros. The signal of great confidence. The following year, Eduardo finally made his official debut into the first team during the 2020/21 season, under the management of Ruben Amorim. However, the first months of this season proved complicated for the defender.

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A journey strewn with pitfalls

The 2020/21 season was thus marked by a difficult start for Quaresma. While he had shown promise in previous seasons, he found himself dealing with several injuries and a setback related to COVID-19. After contracting the virus, he was forced into isolation, delaying his physical and mental preparation for the season. Added to this were tensions with Ruben Amorim, who did not hesitate to criticize him for a lack of involvement in training. This situation further weakened Quaresma’s place in the team. From then on, he was loaned, first to Tondela for a 2021/22 season, where he had an important role in the squad, despite the club’s struggle to avoid relegation. He racked up nearly 30 appearances in all competitions, but his performances remained mixed.

At the end of the season, Sporting’s hopes of Quaresma winning in Lisbon faded further. Ruben Amorim, always reluctant, preferred to send him on loan a second time, but this time abroad, to TSG Hoffenheim, in the Bundesliga. However, this loan to Germany was another disappointment. The Portuguese defender only played a few matches in the Bundesliga, before finding himself in the German club’s reserve team. This new period of frustration led some to wonder if Eduardo Quaresma would one day realize the promise of his talent. At 21, it seemed that he had already drawn a line under his place in top-level football, losing all the aspiration of the supporters.

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An opportunity brilliantly seized

Against all expectations, the 2023/24 season would mark a turning point for the native of Barreiro. Returning to Sporting CP, he found himself in a delicate situation: far from being an indisputable starter, he was not even considered a key player by his own coach. But the injury to Sebastián Coates, captain of Sporting, offered an unexpected opportunity for the young Lion. In the crucial match against FC Porto, a classic of Portuguese football, he started in central defense for the first time this season. This December 2023 match marked a turning point in his career, as he delivered an exceptional performance. Sporting won (2-0), and Quaresma, with his defensive solidity and his leadership, managed to convince Amorim and the supporters.

This match gave birth to a new burst of hope for the young defender. His name quickly returned to the rotation of the following matches. He was no longer a simple substitute, but a significant player in the Portuguese coach’s system. His role is also expanding beyond defense, thanks to his capacity for autonomy on the offensive level, as during his first goal with Sporting, scored during a crushing victory against Braga (5-0). This goal symbolized his return with great fanfare. Ruben Amorim, who had seen his qualities as a central defender since his first years at Sporting, was delighted with his development: “Eduardo Quaresma? We’ve already seen him do this kind of thing, it’s very “him”, he’s been doing this since he was very young. It’s an ability that he has which comes from his individual quality when catching the ball..

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A beautiful future for Eduardo Quaresma

Today, Eduardo Quaresma finds himself in a favorable position after signing a contract extension with the Lions which runs until June 2028. This new commitment demonstrates the great confidence that the Portuguese club has in him and his potential to become a pillar of the club’s defense. After years of ups and downs, the player finally seems to have found his place within the squad. Recently, during the derby against Benfica, he confirmed this positive dynamic by delivering a remarkable performance: in just 72 minutes of play, he won 13 defensive duels and completed four successful dribbles. Impressive statistics, confirming the young crack’s flight.

Even though Ruben Amorim left his coaching duties to join the ranks of Manchester United, Quaresma still enjoys the support of the managers, who continue to see him as a centerpiece for the coming seasons. Eduardo knows that if he continues to meet expectations and raise his level of play, he could well find a place among the big names in Portuguese football. According to our information, the SCP has no intention of parting ways with its protégé, considered an essential executive and a rising value. The following months will therefore be crucial for Eduardo Quaresma but the stability given to him by his new contract and his recent performances are enough to leave one dreaming. It is now up to him to concentrate on his progress, while continuing to establish himself more and more in this team, which sits in first place in the Liga Portugal.