The Sporting Clube de Portugal Youth system is divided into six levels: Escolinhas (under-8), Infantis (under-13), Iniciados (under-15), Juvenis (under-17), Juniores (under-19) and Sub-23 (under-23).

The two youngest levels compete at regional level, being spread between the Academia Aurélio Pereira and the Pólo EUL, in Lisbon, and the Sporting CP Academies around the world. The four oldest levels compete at national level, being based at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

At international level, the youth teams compete in several international tournaments, and the under-19 team competes in the UEFA Youth League.

Youth Squads

Under-23 Team

Staff Head Coach: João Santos Cardoso Assistant Coach: Tiago Moreira Assistant Coach: Carlos Finisterra Goalkeeper Coach: Jaime Pombo Fitness Coach: Ricardo Dinis Analytics Coach: Pedro Garrido Goalkeeper Training Coordinator: João Spínola Personnel Development Coach: José Violante Personnel Development Coach: Eduardo Almeida Team Manager: Pedro Solha

Under-19 Team - Juniores

Staff Head Coach: Mauro Miguel Assistant Coach: Rafael Pinto Assistant Coach: José Gomes Assistant Coach: Diogo Souto Goalkeeper Coach: Luís Caetano Fitness Coach: Hélder Jesus Analytics Coach: João Jorge Scout: Carlos Santos Scout: Rui Pedro de Sousa Scout: Rui Pinto Scout: André Figueiró

Under-17 Team - Juvenis

Staff Head Coach: Pedro Pontes Assistant Coach: Rúben Martinho Assistant Coach: Miguel Almeida Goalkeeper Coach: Diogo Neves Goalkeeper Coach: João Santos Fitness Coach: André Milheiro Analytics Coach: Gonçalo Garrido Nurse: Bruno Salgueiro Personnel Development Coach: Fábio Santos Equipment Technician: João Ribeiro

Under-15 Team - Iniciados

Staff Head Coach: João Lourenço Assistant Coach: Rodrigo Gato Fitness Coach: José Pereira Analytics Coach: João Proença Trainee Coach: Diogo D'Aquino

Academia Cristiano Ronaldo Inaugurated in 2002, with 250,000 square meters, the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo is the football headquarters of Sporting CP.

In addition to being the training ground for the main team, the B team and the women's team, it is also where the under-15s, under-17s, under-19s and the under-23 team practice.

Estádio Aurélio Pereira The Estádio Aurélio Pereira, located inside the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, is where the under-15, the under-17, the under-19 and the under-23 teams play their home matches.

With a capacity for 1,189 spectators, it is named after Aurélio Pereira, the mentor and creator of Sporting CP world-renowned youth recruitment and development department, which he coordinated for over 30 years.

Youth Program The two most famous players to have come through Sporting CP youth system are Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo, both having been regarded by FIFA as world's best players.

Notable Academy Graduates List Criteria Player has made 25 appearances or more for his country at the highest international level Player who has been at least nominated for a world's best men's player award (Ballon d'Or/FIFA Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player of the Year/The Best FIFA Men's Player) or won a continental best men's player award (UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award).

Name Country National Football Team Best Result in Major AwardsAppsGoalsBallon d'Or / FIFA Ballon d'OrFIFA World Player of the Year / The Best FIFA Men's PlayerUEFA Men's Player of the Year AwardAdrien Silva261 - - -Augusto Inácio250 - - -Beto312 - - -Cédric Soares341 - - -Cristiano Ronaldo2261431st (2008, 2016, 2017, 2013, 2014)1st (2008, 2016, 2017)1st (2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17)Eric Dier493 - - -Hugo Viana291 - - -João Moutinho1467 - - -João Mário563 - - -João Palhinha372 - - -Jorge Cadete335 - - -José Fonte501 - - -Luís Boa Morte281 - - -Luís Figo127321st (2000)1st (2001) -Marco Caneira250 - - -Manuel Bento630 - - -Mica Pinto411 - - -Miguel Veloso563 - - -Nani1122422nd (2011) - -Nuno Valente331 - - -Nuno Mendes4119th (2025) - -Paulo Futre4162nd (1987) - -Rafael Leão43514th (2022) - -Rui Águas3110 - - -Rui Patrício108012th (2016) - -Ricardo Quaresma801036th (2007) - -Silvestre Varela275 - - -Simão Sabrosa8522 - - -Vítor Damas280 - - -William Carvalho805 - - -Bold denotes players still playing professional football.Caps and goals are correct as of 27 February 2026.

Pólo EUL and EAS Aurélio Pereira In 2007, Sporting CP and the University of Lisbon signed an protocol giving the club exclusive rights to use of some existing facilities located at the Lisbon University Stadium, known as the Pólo EUL. It is at this location where the Escolinhas and the rugby team are based.

In 2018, the president Frederico Varandas decided to open the first Escola Academia Sporting owned exclusively by the club. Located on the three pitches surrounding the Pavilhão João Rocha (named after Fernando Peyroteo, Luís Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo), the EAS Aurélio Pereira it is named after the club’s youth development icon, Aurélio Pereira, has capacity for 500 children and serves as a complement to the Pólo EUL.

Escolas Academia Sporting Launched in 2006, the Escolas Academia Sporting project is part of the Sporting CP youth development program. Consisting of a network with more than 50 academies located around the world, it currently has 6,500 athletes in its training program.

The purpose of this project is to identify players who may go on to complete their training at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, with a goal of becoming Sporting CP footballers.

The Escolas Academia Sporting apply the club's training model through a structured program that combines facilities, coaching staff and organized activities. The initiative is designed to introduce training methods to young players aged 5 to 14, regardless of gender, with an emphasis on development and the use of recreational time.

Honors Domestic Competitions Campeonato Nacional de Juniores – Under-19: 17 1938/1939, 1945/1946, 1947/1948, 1955/1956, 1960/1961, 1964/1965, 1973/1974, 1982/1983, 1991/1992, 1995/1996, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012, 2016/2017 Campeonato Nacional de Juvenis – Under-17: 14 1962/1963, 1964/1965, 1975/1976, 1983/1984, 1986/1987, 1993/1994, 1998/1999, 2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2021/2022 Campeonato Nacional de Iniciados – Under-15: 15 1982/1983, 1983/1984, 1986/1987, 1991/1992, 1992/1993, 1993/1994, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2005/2006, 2007/2008, 2012/2013, 2014/2015, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2021/2022 Campeonato Nacional de Infantis – Under-13: 3 1991/1992, 1994/1995, 1996/1997

References

External links The Sporting CP academy way – These Football Times (2015)