Portuguese footballer (born 1997)
Luz and the second or paternal family name is Sanches. In this Portuguese name , the first 🍌 or maternal family name isand the second or paternal family name is
Renato Júnior Luz Sanches (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁɨˈnatu ˈsɐ̃ʃɨʃ]; born 🍌 18 August 1997) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Roma, on loan 🍌 from Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, and the Portugal national team.
Sanches began his career at Benfica, making his professional debut 🍌 for the reserves in October 2014 and for the first team in October 2024. In his first and only season 🍌 with them, he helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga double, being awarded Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player 🍌 and Golden Boy in the process.
Sanches' performances then attracted German side Bayern Munich, who signed him in July 2024 for 🍌 an initial €35 million, the highest fee at the time for a Portuguese player playing in the Primeira Liga. His 🍌 performances fell during his first season with the club, leading him to be loaned to Premier League side Swansea City 🍌 in August 2024. After remaining as a substitute, following his return to Bayern in 2024, he was signed by French 🍌 Ligue 1 side Lille in August 2024 for a reported fee of €25 million, becoming Lille's most expensive signing ever. 🍌 In his second season at the club, he helped the team win the 2024–21 Ligue 1, which ended the club's 🍌 10-year league title drought.
Sanches won 40 caps and scored 8 goals for Portugal at youth level. He made his full 🍌 international debut in March 2024 and was chosen for UEFA Euro 2024 at age 18, making him the youngest Portuguese 🍌 to play in an international tournament as well as the youngest player to win a UEFA Euro final. He scored 🍌 one goal during the competition and won the Young Player of the Tournament as Portugal captured the title for the 🍌 first time in their history.
Early life
Sanches was born in the Hospital Amadora-Sintra in the Lisbon metropolitan area, to a father 🍌 also named Renato Sanches, from São Tomé and Príncipe, and a mother named Maria das Dores, from Cape Verde.[3] Nicknamed 🍌 Bulo by his grandmother,[4] he grew up in the impoverished Lisbon neighbourhood of Musgueira.[5] His parents split up months after 🍌 his birth, and his father moved to work in France; Sanches' birth was not registered until his father returned in 🍌 2002 and the parents had him baptised.[6][7] He was registered on 22 August 2002 with the birthdate of 3:25 p.m. 🍌 on 18 August 1997.[6][8]
Sanches started training in football at Águias da Musgueira at age eight,[9][10] and joined Benfica's youth system 🍌 in 2006 at age nine.[11] The team paid €750 and 25 footballs for his signature.[12] He convinced Benfica to take 🍌 him after training with them for 15 minutes, but he initially had reservations about travelling to their academy in Seixal 🍌 every day, on the other side of the Tagus river.[4]
Club career
Benfica
Sanches in action in March 2024, in a Champions League 🍌 game away to Zenit
Sanches made his professional debut in the 2014–15 campaign, with the B-team in the second division. He 🍌 made his first appearance in the competition on 5 October 2014, starting and playing the first half of the 2–2 🍌 away draw against Feirense.[13] He was sent off twice with straight red cards in the second half of the season: 🍌 as a substitute in a 3–2 home win over Porto B on 11 January 2024,[14] and a starter in a 🍌 1–1 draw at Santa Clara on 7 March.[15]
After one year with the reserve team, in 2024–16, Sanches was promoted to 🍌 the first team, initially only for the training sessions.[16] He remained playing in the reserves, and on 30 August 2024, 🍌 he scored his first goal in their 2–1 loss at Varzim, opening the scoring within two minutes.[17] Seventeen days later, 🍌 he scored two penalty kicks in a 3–2 loss at Desportivo das Aves.[18] On 21 October, in the UEFA Youth 🍌 League, he scored in an away 11–1 group stage win over Galatasaray.[19] Nine days later, Sanches made his debut for 🍌 the first team, replacing striker Jonas in the 74th minute of a 4–0 win against Tondela.[20]
After the international break in 🍌 November 2024, Sanches signed a new contract with Benfica until 2024, with a release clause set at €45 million.[21] On 🍌 25 November, he made his first appearance in the starting line-up, playing 90 minutes in a 2–2 away draw with 🍌 Astana in the UEFA Champions League group stage.[21][22] On the following Monday, Sanches started again, this time in a Primeira 🍌 Liga win at Braga, receiving praise from the media for his performance.[23] Aged 18, on 4 December, he scored his 🍌 first goal for Benfica, beating Académica's goalkeeper Trigueira with a 30-metre strike and sealing the 3–0 league win.[24] In so 🍌 doing, he became Benfica's youngest player to score a home goal in the 21st century, at the Estádio da Luz.[25] 🍌 It was selected as the Goal of the Month.[26]
Sanches added a second goal on 2 January, the match's only at 🍌 Vitória de Guimarães in the league.[27] On 24 April, he was a target of racism by some Rio Ave supporters, 🍌 who made monkey noises when he was leaving the pitch after a 1–0 away victory. He responded to the provocation 🍌 with a smile and moved his arms, mimicking a monkey.[28] On 8 May, Sanches was sent off for a second 🍌 yellow card in the first half of a 2–0 win at Marítimo,[29] missing Benfica's last league match in which they 🍌 retained their title at the expense of city rivals Sporting CP with victory over Nacional.[30] In his last match, the 🍌 2024 Taça da Liga Final in Coimbra on 20 May, Benfica won the league cup 6–2 against Marítimo.[31]
Bayern Munich
2024–17 season
Sanches 🍌 training with Bayern in May 2024
On 10 May 2024, Sanches signed a five-year contract effective from 1 July with German 🍌 club Bayern Munich for €35 million,[32] in a deal totalling €80 million, with the additional €45 million contingent on objectives.[33][34] 🍌 With this transfer, he became the most expensive Portuguese player to leave the domestic league,[35][note 1] as well as the 🍌 first Portuguese player to join the Bavarian side.[37] The initial fee was the fourth-highest paid in Bayern Munich's history, after 🍌 those for Javi Martínez, Mario Götze and Arturo Vidal.[37] Sanches had been tracked extensively by Manchester United before joining Bayern, 🍌 and their Portuguese former player Nani said they would regret not completing a transfer for him.[38]
After recovering from a thigh 🍌 injury, Sanches made his debut on 9 September, starting in a 2–0 win at Schalke 04 in place of Arturo 🍌 Vidal. Although he made errors in his 71 minutes before being replaced by Joshua Kimmich, he was given reassurance by 🍌 captain Phillip Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, with the former saying, "He's a very, very good player, otherwise he wouldn't 🍌 be here. He's a European champion and will definitely be an asset to us in the future."[39] On 24 October, 🍌 he became the first Portuguese player to win the Golden Boy award for best European player under the age of 🍌 21, ahead of Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.[40]
While Bayern won the Bundesliga, Sanches played only 25 matches across all competitions and 🍌 did not record a single goal or assist. He started just four league games and playing the entirety of only 🍌 one.[41] Sanches had to compete with more experienced players like Arturo Vidal, Thiago and Xabi Alonso for playing time. It 🍌 did not help Sanches that Bayern's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has a reputation of not relying on young players. Sky Deutschland 🍌 reporter Torben Hoffman said, "He has had problems with the language and found it hard to integrate with the team. 🍌 There is also a lot of competition for places at Bayern."[42] Former Bayern player Lothar Matthäus named him among the 🍌 three worst players of the season, while Sanches himself said he was disappointed by his performances; however, manager Carlo Ancelotti 🍌 said he would remain at the Allianz Arena for the following season.[41]
Swansea City (loan)
On 31 August 2024, Sanches joined Premier 🍌 League club Swansea City on a one-year loan lasting until 30 June 2024.[43][44] Sanches was loaned to Swansea in order 🍌 to play regularly in a strong league.[45] He made his debut ten days later at the Liberty Stadium, in a 🍌 0–1 loss to Newcastle United. BBC Sport reporter Dafydd Pritchard called it a "mixed beginning" due to several passing mistakes.[46] 🍌 On 29 November, manager Paul Clement substituted Sanches at half-time in a 1–0 loss to Chelsea after he had played 🍌 a pass into the advertising boards on the side of the pitch, believing it to be a teammate.[47]
Sanches suffered hamstring 🍌 injuries in two consecutive FA Cup matches in January 2024, and new manager Carlos Carvalhal allowed him to go home 🍌 so the warmer weather could aid his rehabilitation. Sanches did not play a competitive match after 2 January 2024 until 🍌 the end of the season.[48] At the end of the season, Carvalhal said, "Renato knows he has had a very 🍌 bad season. He is not at the level he was and when he had the injury in January, it finished 🍌 him. Renato has a big talent, but he has much to learn. He stopped learning when he left Benfica and 🍌 went to one of the biggest clubs in the world."[49]
2024–19 season
Sanches playing for Bayern in August 2024
On 1 July 2024, 🍌 Sanches returned to Bayern Munich. New Bayern manager Niko Kovač said at the beginning of pre-season training, "I'll try to 🍌 make him feel good here. When someone feels good, it's much easier to perform well. He has skills that you 🍌 don't see every day in the Bundesliga; that's why FC Bayern signed him."[50] Given a first Bayern start since May 🍌 2024, Sanches scored his first goal for the club on 19 September, finishing James Rodríguez's cross in a 2–0 Champions 🍌 League group win at his former club Benfica.[51] His return to good form was indeed sustained by being elected Bayern's 🍌 best player of September.[52] On 19 December 2024, Sanches was sent-off against RB Leipzig.[53] Sanches scored his first Bundesliga goal 🍌 on 18 May, on the final day of the league campaign, appearing as a substitute for Leon Goretzka in a 🍌 5–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt to seal the title; as Bayern finished two points above Dortmund with 78 points.[54] A 🍌 week later, Sanches won his first DFB-Pokal as Bayern defeated RB Leipzig 3–0 in the 2024 DFB-Pokal Final. Sanches did 🍌 not appear in the match.[55]
2024–20 season
On 16 August 2024, Sanches appeared as a late substitute for Thomas Müller in a 🍌 2–2 draw against Hertha Berlin.[56] After the match, in a post-game interview, Sanches made it clear that he wanted to 🍌 leave the club, to play more regularly. Afterwards, Sanches missed a post-game training and went home, which resulted in him 🍌 being fined €10,000.[57] Bayern's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge responded to Sanches comments saying "it's not appropriate when one runs off in 🍌 anger right after the first or second game. He would do well to keep calm. He'll get his chances".[58]
Lille
2024–20 season
Sanches 🍌 playing for Lille against Ajax Amsterdam in 2024
On 23 August 2024, Sanches joined French club Lille on a four-year contract 🍌 for a reported fee of €20 million, becoming Lille's most expensive signing ever.[59] He made his debut on 1 September, 🍌 starting in a 2–0 loss at Reims.[60] Initially, Lille's manager Christophe Galtier used Sanches in a variety of positions, being 🍌 limited to substitute appearances, before playing a match as a starter for the club on 30 November in a 1–0 🍌 against Dijon, operating on the left of the midfield. He scored his first goal for the club on 13 December 🍌 in a 2–0 victory against Montpellier.[60]
In November, Sanches suffered a hamstring injury, which sidelined him for five weeks.[61] After recovering 🍌 from his injury, he earned a starting spot in the midfield, making his return in a 1–0 win against Nîmes.[61] 🍌 His impressive performances in the midfield alongside Jonathan Bamba and Jonathan Ikoné, led to Sanches being named Lille's Player of 🍌 the Month in December and January in two consecutive months.[61] He eventually contributed to 30 appearances, scoring 4 goals, helping 🍌 Lille to a 4th place finish, as the season finished early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[61]
2024–21 season
In his second season 🍌 at the club, Sanches formed a partnership in the midfield alongside Benjamin André in a double pivot. However, he suffered 🍌 another hamstring injury in November, leading him to lose his place in the team to Boubakary Soumaré.[61] Nevertheless, Sanches remained 🍌 an important player for Lille, making 29 appearances, and providing a crucial assist for Jonathan David in a 2–1 away 🍌 win over Angers, to win the 2024–21 Ligue 1 with Lille, ending the club's 10-year league title drought.[62]
2024–22 season
Sanches playing 🍌 for Lille in 2024
At the start of the season in August, Sanches was sidelined with a hamstring injury, which required 🍌 surgery, missing seven weeks of the season.[63] In August, Barcelona negotiated with Lille for the transfer of Sanches, but his 🍌 injury, led to the transfer collapsing at the final stages.[64] He made his return on 3 October, replacing Jonathan Ikoné 🍌 in the 94th minute in a 2–0 win against Marseille.[65] On 1 December, Sanches scored his first goal of the 🍌 season in a 2–1 win against Rennes.[66]
Paris Saint-Germain
On 4 August 2024, Sanches signed for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a permanent 🍌 deal until 30 June 2027.[67] The transfer fee paid to Lille was of €10 million, with a potential €3 million 🍌 in bonuses.[68] On 13 August, he came on as a substitute in a 5–2 home league win over Montpellier, making 🍌 his PSG debut. He scored his team's fifth goal moments after having come on the pitch.[69]
Loan to Roma
On 16 August 🍌 2024, Sanches signed for Serie A club Roma on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent 🍌 that would become obligatory under certain conditions.[70] It was reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano that Roma had paid a €1 🍌 million loan fee, that the buy option was set at €15 million, and that the option would become mandatory should 🍌 Sanches play at least 60% of Roma's matches during the season.[71]
International career
Sanches gained 40 caps for Portugal all youth categories 🍌 comprised.[72] He represented Portugal in the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, helping them reach the semi-finals, where they lost to 🍌 eventual winners, England.[73] He was named in the Team of the Tournament.[74]
On 18 March 2024, Sanches was called up by 🍌 Fernando Santos for the senior squad to play friendlies against Bulgaria and Belgium.[75] He debuted for Portugal as a 76th-minute 🍌 substitute for William Carvalho in the 0–1 loss against Bulgaria in Leiria, and shortly after he was greeted by a 🍌 fan who invaded the pitch.[76]
UEFA Euro 2024
Sanches was called up for UEFA Euro 2024, making him the youngest Portuguese to 🍌 be selected for an international competition, breaking a record held by Cristiano Ronaldo for 12 years.[77] Sanches made his competitive 🍌 debut on 14 June in the team's opening match against Iceland in Saint-Étienne, replacing João Moutinho for the final 19 🍌 minutes of a 1–1 draw.[78] He contributed to the only goal of the match in a 1–0 extra-time victory in 🍌 the round of 16 against Croatia on 25 June, and was elected man of the match.[79] Observing that performance, former 🍌 Portuguese international António Sousa said, "When he's on the ball you don't notice how young he is. Physically and mentally, 🍌 he is more than ready," while Fernando Santos exalted Sanches as a player immune to pressure.[12]
Five days later in the 🍌 quarter-finals against Poland, Sanches overtook Ronaldo's record as the youngest Portuguese to start in a major tournament.[80] After a one-two 🍌 with Nani, Sanches shot from outside the box and equalised in the first half to become the youngest player to 🍌 score in a knockout match at a UEFA European Championship and the third-youngest overall.[80][81] Following the 1–1 draw, he scored 🍌 Portugal's second attempt in their penalty shootout victory, and was again elected man of the match.[82] Following the match, teammates 🍌 Nani and José Fonte praised Sanches' stamina, confidence and desire to learn from his elders.[38] After his nation's 1–0 extra-time 🍌 victory over hosts France in the final of the tournament, Sanches received the Young Player of the Tournament Award for 🍌 his performances.[83]
Post-Euro 2024 and Euro 2024
Sanches and striker Eder were notable Euro 2024 winners omitted from Portugal's squad for the 🍌 2024 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia; Sanches played in the 2024 UEFA European Under-21 Championship instead.[84] He was also absent 🍌 from the 35-man preliminary squad for the 2024 FIFA World Cup.[85]
In September 2024, Sanches was called up for the friendly 🍌 match against Croatia and the UEFA Nations League match against Italy.[86] On 6 September, he came on as a substitute 🍌 in the 86th minute against Croatia for his first international cap in nearly 18 months.[87]
Sanches was named in Portugal's final 🍌 squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.[88] On 15 June 2024, in Portugal's first game of Euro 2024, Sanches 🍌 made his first appearance in tournament, replacing William Carvalho in the 81st minute, creating Portugal's first goal in a 3–0 🍌 win against Hungary in Budapest.[89] Following the bad performances of teammates Danilo Pereira and William Carvalho in a 4–2 loss 🍌 against Germany, Sanches emerged as one of the crucial players for Portugal in the competition, with coach Fernando Santos giving 🍌 him a chance in Portugal's final two games at the tournament, impressing in a 2–2 draw with France in their 🍌 final group stage match.[90] Following another impressive performance, Portugal were eliminated on 27 June, following a 1–0 loss against Belgium 🍌 in the round of 16, despite Sanches being distinguished for his breakthrough performances in the competition.[91][92]
In October 2024, he was 🍌 named in Portugal's preliminary 55-man squad for the 2024 FIFA World Cup in Qatar however he was omitted from the 🍌 final 26-man squad.[93]
Style of play
Sanches has been noted for his versatility in midfield, being comfortable in defensive, attacking, central and 🍌 wide roles.[94][95] His attributes include physical strength, passing ability, and being composed in possession.[94][95] For these traits and his hairstyle, 🍌 he has been likened to the Dutchman Edgar Davids.[94][95]
However, in an interview to Benfica TV, Sanches compared his style with 🍌 that of another Dutchman of Davids' era, Clarence Seedorf.[96] During Euro 2024, former Benfica and Netherlands player Pierre van Hooijdonk 🍌 also drew comparison with Seedorf, saying "the way [they] play is the same, the intensity also".[97]
During his time with Lille, 🍌 under manager Christophe Galtier, Sanches was deployed in a double pivot alongside Benjamin André in a 4-2-3-1 formation, or as 🍌 an inverted midfielder, operating in an attacking role on the right-wing.[61] Sanches also operated on the left of the midfield 🍌 or in the middle, coming on the right side to play alongside Jonathan Bamba and Jonathan Ikoné in attack or 🍌 as a box-to-box, supporting the full-back in defense in a 4-4-2 formation.[61]
Age controversy
Opponents of Sanches have claimed he is older 🍌 than his birth certificate states, basing their judgement on the gap between his birth and its registration.[7] In March 2024, 🍌 as Sporting CP challenged Benfica for the league title, Sporting's then-president Bruno de Carvalho accused Sanches of lying about his 🍌 age.[7] Sanches requested Carvalho publicly apologise or face a lawsuit for defamation.[7] During Euro 2024, French former manager Guy Roux 🍌 made a similar accusation.[7]
According to Goal writer Miles Chambers, the accusations against Sanches stem from conscious or unconscious racial stereotyping, 🍌 based on historical occasions in which players from the African continent have lied about their age, although he was born 🍌 in Portugal.[7]
On 8 July 2024, the hospital where Sanches was born published the document which proved he was born on 🍌 18 August 1997 at 15:25 local time.[8]
Personal life
Sanches' cousins, Cláudio, Miguel and Jair Tavares, are also professional footballers.[98]
Career statistics
Club
As of 🍌 match played 30 November 2024[99]
International
As of match played 14 November 2024[101]
National team Year Apps Goals Portugal 2024 12 1 2024 🍌 1 0 2024 5 0 2024 4 1 2024 10 1 Total 32 3
As of match played 14 November 2024.[101]
Scores 🍌 and results list Portugal's goal tally first.
Honours
Benfica
Bayern Munich[99]
Lille
Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal
Individual
Orders
Notes
