The morning sun beat down on the pitches at Cascade in Lagos, but for Sporting CP, it was just another day at the office. The national champions are deep into their Algarve training camp. Every session builds the foundation for another season of trying to reach the top.
Good news echoed through the camp on Sunday. Ricardo Esgaio, a 32-year-old veteran, was back on the field. He joined the main group for full training. Esgaio had been out with a troublesome injury. His return means coach Rui Borges now has all 30 players called up for this southern stay ready to work.
Not all news is perfect, though. Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança are still on the long road to recovery. Both players are dealing with serious ligament injuries. Nuno Santos, a skilled winger, is still with the team in Lagos. He is working hard with the Performance Unit. This shows the club’s commitment to his recovery, even away from the main drills.
The team has a busy Monday ahead. It marks their last day at the Lagos camp. They will first play a private match against Farense. This game will happen behind closed doors at the Cascade pitches. Later that evening, the champions face Sunderland. That match kicks off at 8:00 PM at Estádio do Algarve. Fans will fill the stands, eager to cheer on their team. Rui Borges, the 44-year-old coach, will be pushing his squad hard. It’s all part of the quiet, determined work that defines a champion team.