Five players meet Gran Turismo star José Cautela

At the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, football met motorsport for a memorable experience this past week. José Cautela, a driver who competes for Sporting Clube de Portugal at the wheel of a McLaren in Gran Turismo races, welcomed five players from the first team for an afternoon of on-track action.

Jeremiah St. Juste, Conrad Harder, Morten Hjulmand, Zeno Debast and Francisco Trincão accompanied Cautela on two laps each of the circuit.

"It was spectacular, really cool. It was my first time in a race car. When you're in the car it feels like you're going a little slower than when you see it go by," St. Juste explained after the experience as co-driver.

"On the corners I asked him when he was going to brake, and he said 'only at the last moment (laughs).' José asked me to keep my body tense and stiffen my neck."

Debast added that "José was very fast and I can't even imagine what it would be like with 20 more cars on the track. It must be incredible! When we see the car passing in front of us it's crazy, it's different from when we watch a Grand Prix on television."

The defender explained the importance of enjoying moments of relaxation with teammates as a break from their training routine.

"It's good for us to learn about other sports, try different things, and support each other within the club. It's also great for our mental health to have this kind of experience. It was wonderful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity," he said.

Cautela was very pleased with the spirit of the players and the intersection between two worlds he is passionate about.

"It's a dream come true. If, when I was a kid, someone had told me that I would be driving with the best Sporting CP players at Portimão, I wouldn't have believed it," shared the staunch Sportinguista, who will return to competition in November at Estoril.

"It was really cool and it's also great to see this association between sports. This is a new sport at the club, and it's good to be associated with football, which is obviously the biggest sport, although we are a huge sporting powerhouse, the biggest in Portugal and one of the biggest in the world," stated the driver.

"I think it was the most fun I've ever had in the car. It was a mix of emotions, but I think they all loved it. I spent the whole time talking about racing with Trincão. When I was braking, he was a bit quiet, and so was I, but then on the straights, he asked me how my career began. I loved being with them and the entire Sporting CP group. I asked them to come see me race in Estoril on the last weekend of November."

"I hope this motivates them," said Cautela. "We're all behind them. I asked them all for the third league title when we were arriving at the pit. They were fantastic, and I'm looking forward to next season. I had a great time last season, and I hope this year will be a happy one too."

The players spend time with fans during the preseason training camp

Geovany Quenda, Conrad Harder, and João Simões, in a collaboration between the Sporting Foundation and CASLAS - Centro de Assistência Social Lucinda Anino dos Santos, in Lagos, met several young fans at the hotel where Sporting CP are staying during their preseason camp.

The Sportinguistas were full of curiosity , asking several questions that were fielded by the players.

How did you feel playing against Manchester City?
Quenda: "It's a game that no Sporting fan will easily forget, it was very important for us at that time. I felt good and was confident."

What was it like to become two time champions?
Harder: "Becoming a two-time champion was an incredible feeling. I didn't expect how crazy it would be, and sharing it with all my teammates was spectacular. I hope to experience it again."
Simões: "We knew what we wanted from the start and we did it. We really enjoyed it, because we deserved it, after everything we'd been through during the season."

What is your daily routine?
Harder: "After training, I take an ice bath to help my legs recover. Then I have lunch, go home, take a nap and spend time with my family, with my girlfriend when she's here... or with Zeno [Debast]."

What influence did the Sporting CP academy system have?
Simões: "It was great. I lived with more than 50 Sporting CP players, all with the same dream of reaching the first team, and we are lucky to have made it here. We felt like a family. It was a time I will cherish for the rest of my life. I started playing because of my older brother's influence. I was three years old. I played for Silves FC, who were based very close by, then for Portimonense SC, and then I came to Sporting CP. It was all because of my father and especially my brother, and thankfully it's going well. I'm following my dream."

What was it like for Simões to score at the Estádio José Alvalade?
Simões. "It was a dream come true. There are no words to describe it. Quenda even gave me a hard time for crying (laughs), but it was a really good feeling. I was really happy."

How was Quenda's first team debut?
Quenda: "It was a huge honour to see my work recognised, but it wasn't a good game for me because we lost. And it was in a final, in last season's Supertaça Cândido Oliveira."

How does it feel to score in a final?
Harder: "It was incredible. Scoring in a final was something I'd dreamed of since I arrived. Helping the team and winning the trophy was special. It has to be the best goal of my career."

Who are the best players you've faced?
Quenda: "The best players I've ever faced? Maybe Maxi Araújo or Matheus Reis, because I'm always facing them in training,"

At the end of the meeting, João Simões highlighted the importance of the initiative.

"It's great to have the young kids here, because I remember myself at that age, curious to know what our idols do on a daily basis. It was a fantastic initiative. We also learned from them. We saw what it's like to be a child and how happy they are with a simple reaction from us," he explained.

"It's given us the chance to break up our routine of training, resting, training... And we have the opportunity to do a good deed. Even if it's a small thing, it's the least we can do for those who support us."

José Rocha, a member of the CASLAS board, whose main mission is to contribute to the inclusion and social promotion of younger population groups, people with disabilities and the elderly in the Lagos area, added that: "It's a day that will stay with the kids for the rest of their lives. They always have an image of football players as stars they want to emulate, who they want to be like, and this was an opportunity for them to connect with some Sporting CP players, and they're obviously delighted. They were already very anxious yesterday and today it was very difficult to keep them under control until we got here, they were all so excited,” he shared.

The new arrival is enjoying his initial days at Sporting CP

New signing Giorgi Kochorashvili spoke to reporters on Monday before Sporting Clube de Portugal's training session in Lagos. The midfielder talked about his first weeks at the club, and his eagerness to get the season underway.

"It's been incredible. Adapting has been very easy. Firstly, because everyone who works at the club has helped me. There's also been my teammates: It's been amazing sharing a dressing room with them. They help me with everything, not just on the pitch but off it too," he stated.

"It doesn't feel like I've only been here for two weeks; it feels like I've been playing for Sporting CP for two or three years. It's not an easy feeling to come across. I feel fully integrated already," added the Georgian.

"As for my aims; the answer is easy. I want to win the league. Becoming a champion is why I came here and it's also ingrained in the club," he stated ambitiously when asked about his expectations for the 2025/26 season.

"What I want is to help the team, because the most important thing is the badge that we wear on our chests. It doesn't just depend on me, it depends on everyone -including the fans. If we work together, we'll have a lot of fun, I'm sure. And if we can make dreams come true, then why not?" he underlined.

"I believe I can give a lot to the team. I'll always give my all on the pitch, and people will be able to judge me on that. I came here to enjoy myself, to play football, and to compete. I'll do whatever is asked of me. I said on day one that I'm here to contribute. There's a lot of invisible work in football as well: On the pitch, I believe I'll learn a lot from all my teammates and I think I'll help them gain a different perspective on the game," said the new signing.

When asked about teammate Morten Hjulmand, he was full of praise for the club captain.

"Training with Morten has already allowed me to see why he's the team's leader. I've been observing his movements, his quality, and I believe I'll learn a lot from him throughout the season."

Kochorashvili is eager about the possibility of feeling the support of the fans in Wednesday's friendly against Celtic FC.

"I'm excited, but we'll have to take it slow because the preseason has only just started. I'll adapt, I'll try to help my teammates, and I'm sure they'll help me too, showing what each of us can bring to the dressing room."

Finally, he spoke about the challenge of learning Portuguese.

"I still only speak very little, but I'll learn quickly. My teammates speak to me in Portuguese, and I try to learn. I understand everything; it's hard to speak it, but I'll get the hang of it quickly," he assured.

The team work to get ready for the coming season

Sporting Clube de Portugal continue preparing for the 2025/26 season, and on Monday the squad were out on the training pitch in Lagos.

The first 15 minutes of the session were open to the media who had travelled to follow the team in their preseason camp.

Coach Rui Borges held another morning training session. Ricardo Esgaio, assigned to the Performance Unit, and Pedro Gonçalves, authorised to be absent for personal reasons, did not participate in the work on the pitch.

The squad train on Tuesday in another session. Sporting CP face Celtic FC the following day, July 16th, at 7:30 pm, at Estádio Algarve.

Conrad Harder and Geovany Quenda get back to work

Sporting Clube de Portugal held their first training session in the Algarve on Sunday morning, as part of their preseason camp in the south of Portugal.

Under high temperatures, the group showed commitment, intensity and good vibes, with the intensity required at this stage of their preparations.

The highlight of the session was the return of Conrad Harder and Geovany Quenda, who joined up with the rest of the team to train under coach Rui Borges.

The players will be training on Monday morning, with the first 15 minutes open to the media.

The friendly match against Celtic FC is scheduled for 7:30 pm on July 16th, at the Estádio do Algarve - the first opportunity for Sporting CP fans to see the team in action before the start of the season.

The group begin their preseason stay in Lagos

Sporting Clube de Portugal arrived in Lagos early on Saturday evening, where the training camp for the 2025/26 season will take place. The squad coached by Rui Borges will have their first session in the Algarve on Sunday, behind closed doors.

Franco Israel, Rui Silva, Diego Calai, Francisco Silva, Matheus Reis, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Ivan Fresneda, Jeremiah St. Juste, Ousmane Diomande, Ricardo Esgaio, Diogo Travassos, David Moreira, Zeno Debast, Hidemasa Morita, Morten Hjulmand, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Rayan Lucas, João Simões, Manuel Mendonça, Pedro Gonçalves, Geovany Quenda, Maximiliano Araújo, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Alisson Santos, Biel Teixeira, Lucas Anjos, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Conrad Harder are the players who have travelled to Southern Portugal.

Daniel Bragança and Nuno Santos have stayed behind in the club's Performance Unit.

Lagos has hosted the club's preparations in recent seasons. On Wednesday, July 16th, at 7:30pm, Sporting CP face Celtic FC at the Estádio do Algarve, in what will be the first opportunity for fans to see the team in action this summer. There will be another match on Monday, July 21st, at 8pm, against Sunderland AFC, at the same venue.

The squad play SCU Torreense and CD Nacional

To continue their preparation for the upcoming season, Sporting Clube de Portugal played two training matches on Friday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo. In games consisting of two 35-minute halves, the team beat SCU Torreense 1-0 in the morning and, in the afternoon, drew 1-1 with CD Nacional.

In the clash with SCU Torreense, a club that play in Liga 2, an own goal made the difference. Rui Borges opted for a starting XI composed of Francisco Silva, Jeremiah St. Juste, Pedro Gonçalves, Maxi Araújo, Geny Catamo, Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Biel, Morten Hjulmand, João Simões and Lucas Anjos.

Against CD Nacional -the Madeiran team who will be Sporting CP's opponent in the coming league season- the starting lineup was: Franco Israel, Matheus Reis, Hidemasa Morita, Francisco Trincão, Gonçalo Inácio, Alisson Santos, Eduardo Quaresma, Rayan Lucas, Mauro Couto, Diogo Travassos and Rodrigo Ribeiro. New signing Alisson Santos scored the Sporting CP goal.

All available players were used, as the first phase of preseason concluded. The squad will now move on to Lagos in the Algarve, training there through to July 21st.

The Uruguayan winger gets back on the pace

After a great first season at Sporting CP, Maxi Araújo was one of the internationals who returned to preseason training this past Monday. With the 2025/2026 campaign on the horizon, this will be his first full summer at the club, as he only joined at the end of August last year.

"It was important for me to have my first preseason here. Although we've only just returned, I'm really enjoying it. When I arrived, the team welcomed me very quickly and, as a result, I adapted fast", recalled the 25-year-old Uruguayan, who used the recent summer break to be close to his family.

"I spent many years playing in Mexico, and now I've had my first campaign here, and my family are very happy and proud of what I've achieved. They're far away, but always close to me, and that's the most important thing. Every time I go to Uruguay, I try to make the most of my time with them. Fortunately, nowadays you can also make a video call and see them there", he noted.

As for the workouts in Portugal so far, he revealed that "The first training sessions are always a bit tough, because, despite having kept in shape and recharged my batteries with my family, when we return to training with our teammates it is always a bit difficult. But I'm fine, we're working well, and that's why I'm very happy".

"I think the young players are really enjoying it. There's a lot of quality in Sporting CP's youth academy and in the B team. Last season, a lot of young players came through and stayed in the first team squad, and now they're doing really well in preseason. We always try to make them feel comfortable and compete on equal terms with any other player, because we've all been in their position. They just have to seize the opportunity and show the coach they want to stay here", he emphasised.

Asked about the aims for the upcoming season, he stated that "What's expected of Sporting CP is always to fight for every title and always be at the top. I'd never played in a final before last year, and the first one [in the Taça da Liga] we lost on penalties, but I knew we'd have many more after that, because we have an incredible team, with incredible players. That's why the club have to always be in finals. We were fortunate enough to end the year with two incredible victories", recalled the winger.

2025/2026 begins with a trophy at stake, in the Supertaça against SL Benfica on July 31st. "Everyone wants to prepare well for this type of game. We'll arrive in great shape as a team because we're working towards that. We have very good preparation work ahead of us and I think we'll arrive in good shape for a game that we're going to try to win".

As well as a training camp in the Algarve, Sporting CP also play Celtic FC (July 16th) and Sunderland (July 21st) in preparation games. "It's important that the follow us from now on, because we know that our fans fill any venue where we play. We look forward to seeing them in the Algarve, because it will be great to start the season with these friendlies and with the fans in attendance, as always", he concluded.

The goalkeeper speaks in preseason training

A reinforcement for the squad in the winter transfer window back in January, Rui Silva needed little time to become a valuable asset to Sporting CP. The goalkeeper integrated well with the dressing room and on the pitch, helping his side to a league and cup double.

Now in his first preseason at the club, he is ready to achieve further success in 2025/26. "It was an intense season last time out, in which we achieved our goals. It's great to be back with my teammates, preparing for the new season in the best way possible", he said on Wednesday.

At the end of the season, Rui Silva was part of the Portuguese national team which won the UEFA Nations League, before enjoying a well-deserved break. "It's essential to spend time with my family; we spend a lot of time away from them. It's important to dedicate this time to our children, to practice other sports, to clear our minds. But, of course, by the third week of the summer break we're already itching to get back to doing what we love most", he acknowledged.

"Last season was the most special of my career. Until now, I'd only won one trophy: The Copa del Rey in Spain. Winning three trophies in these five months was very gratifying. I'm very proud. It was an incredible year for me personally", he shared.

"Now, I'm preparing as best I can, like the whole team. We want to put on a great show for the Sporting CP fans on July 31st by winning another trophy", he said, referring to the Super Taça Cândido de Oliveira, which pits Sporting CP against SL Benfica.

Silva is aware that there is plenty of expectation, and hopes to make good on it. "The demands have increased. We have a lot of new faces and young players who want to succeed and be in the first team. It's a privilege for them, and they have to work hard to help us", he commented.

"We're two-time champions, and that brings with it an added responsibility. We have to keep our feet on the ground and have a strong sense of duty. We know what lies ahead".

The training camp in Lagos is approaching and, with it, the first friendlies that are open to fans. "Our fans' support is unconditional," said Silva. "I know they're also eager to watch football again. I hope they come to the Estadio do Algarve to support us, because we have a final to play soon".

The defender talks about the first day back in training

Back to work at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo alongside his Sporting CP teammates, Iván Fresneda is fully focused on the challenges ahead.

"I really enjoy going on holiday and spending time with family and friends, but I've never stopped thinking about coming back here to make more history with Sporting CP," the player began by saying after the first training session since the summer break.

"The first few days are always the hardest, and we have to adapt to it, but it's going very well. The team seem confident about what lies ahead," added the fullback.

The Spain Under-21 international believes that this summer will be a valuable preparation for coach Rui Borges and the team, stating that "It's very good for him and even more so for us, because we can take the opportunity to do everything right from the start, as the coach and the coaching staff want."

Entering his third season at the club, Fresneda looks back with pride on his time in Portugal so far.

"When I arrived two years ago, I felt like this team was a family. Players have come and gone since I've been here, but the core has remained the same. Everyone who comes up from the academy or the B team feels comfortable, because they are welcomed, from the most experienced players to the youngest. I've never seen such a good team."

"I still receive advice from those who have been here longer and have already achieved a lot, but it's true that, after two seasons and with the trophies we've already won, I can also pass on something to others," he revealed.

Fresneda also emphasised that the team want to win a third straight league title, as well as other ambitions.

"The responsibility we have, just for representing Sporting CP, is already immense. It will be more difficult this year, but we will fight for everything we can, because that's what this club and the history of this entity demand," he added.

The training camp in the Algarve will be the next step in preparations for the new season, and the Spaniard made an appeal to the fans.

"The team are already really looking forward to playing these games, to seeing the Sporting CP fans. I invite everyone to come and watch the matches. We've been without them for over a month now, and we really need their support. I believe many of them will be there."

"There will be time to think about the Super Taça later, but it all starts now, with daily work and focus in each training session," he concluded.