Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo have in common the club of origin Sporting Lisbon. In the last 2 or 3 decades, Sporting Lisbon has not had great success with the national league, but has become one of the worlds best at finding and managing football young stars. In truth, many players have become famous, but Figo and Cristiano are International and European award winners, they are top class players.

Sporting Lisbon is a centennial club, it was founded in 1906, it's main headquarters are in Lisbon and it's a multi-sport club, not only dedicated to football, it has also participates in Track events, Roller Hockey, Handball, Basketball, etc. Actually, it has evolved in some sports, but the one that is it's center attention is football.

Sporting Lisbon Academy has helped so many players grow as professionals and as human beings, just a small list of players:

• Cristiano Ronaldo (currently at Real Madrid)
• Luis Figo (currently retired)
• Paulo Futre (currently retired)
• Simão Sabrosa (currently at Atlético Madrid)
• Ricardo Quaresma (currently at Inter Milan)
• Luis Boa Morte (currently at West Ham)
• Nani (currently at Man United)
• Hugo Viana (currently at Valência)
• Jorge Cadete (currently retired)

Potential new stars that are currently playing on the team:

• Daniel Carriço (20 years of age) - defense
• Miguel Veloso (23 years of age) - multiple position, left footer
• João Moutinho (22 years of age) middle fielder, the play maker ... very good player
• Adrien Silva (20 years of age) - middle fielder
• Bruno Pereirinha (21 years of age) - winger
• Carlos Saleiro (23 years of age) - striker
• Yannick Djaló (23 years of age)- striker

The club has a great potential to promote young players, and their schooling facilities are among the best in the world. They also have a modern stadium, which was built for the Euro2004, with 50.080 seats, it's one of the biggest in Portugal.

Sporting Lisbon has had in the past decade teams with low age averages, mostly due to its potential to promote young stars. And the coach profile has had that in mind, Paulo Bento and Lazlo Boloni, have had much success in the past by launching professionally young players. Being that Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quarema were launched by Lazlo Boloni almost simultaneously.

Besides the stadiium, Sporting Lisbon has a whole complex dedicated to schooling and training called the Sporting Academy, it's located in Alcochete on the outskirts of Lisbon city center.

Sporting Lisbon is one of the 3 top teams in Portugal, they are considered as a title contender every season, although they do have tough competition from Porto and Benfica.