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.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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 matches.
With a capacity for 1,189 spectators, it is named after Aurélio Pereira, the mentor and creator of Sporting CP's 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's youth system are Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo, both elected as the best football player in the world.
Notable Academy Graduates
List Criteria
Player has made 25 appearances or more for his country at full international level
Bold denotes players still playing professional football. Caps and goals are correct as of 27 February 2026.
Academia Aurélio Pereira and Pólo EUL
The youth development division includes the Pólo EUL, Sporting Clube de Portugal's youth development campus at the Estádio Universitário de Lisboa (6 to 13 years old children),[5][6][7] and the Aurélio Pereira Academy located at the football fields next to the Pavilhão João Rocha, within a short walking distance from the Estádio José Alvalade.[8][9]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
