{"id":255252,"first_name":"Renato Júnior","last_name":"Luz Sanches","short_name":"Renato Sanches","common_name":"Renato Sanches","place_of_birth":"Lisboa","gender":"male","height":176,"weight":75,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T19:06:44.162Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:05:37.892Z","locale":"en","age":27,"stb_id":"renato-sanches","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Renato Sanches","top_position":null,"introduction":"Renato Júnior Luz Sanches is a Portuguese professional footballer widely recognized for his versatility and significant contributions to club and international football. Born on 18 August 1997, Sanches has already achieved considerable success, including helping Portugal to their first UEFA European Championship title in 2016. Currently, he plays as a midfielder for the Primeira Liga club Benfica, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Sanches has a reputation for physical strength and technical skill, making him a pivotal figure for both his clubs and the national team.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nRenato Sanches was born in the Hospital Amadora-Sintra in Lisbon's metropolitan area to parents Renato Sanches from São Tomé and Príncipe, and Maria das Dores from Cape Verde. Growing up in the economically disadvantaged neighborhood of Musgueira in Lisbon, his early life was shaped by his parents' separation and his father's work relocation to France. A late registration of his birth reflected the complexities of his early family life. Football came into his life at the age of eight at Águias da Musgueira and transitioned to Benfica's youth academy in 2006 when he was just nine.\n\n## Youth Career\nSanches' journey into professional football began with Benfica's youth system, where his potential quickly became apparent. He joined the club by impressing in training, initially sparking reservations due to the daily travel required to Benfica's Seixal academy. Sanches' development in Benfica's youth teams laid the groundwork for his professional career, contributing to Benfica's reserve team in the 2014–15 season before making his first-team debut in October 2015. His performances captured the attention of top European clubs.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Benfica\nRenato Sanches made his professional debut for Benfica's B team in October 2014. His ascent to the first team began in the 2015–2016 season. Sanches played a crucial role as Benfica claimed the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga double. During this season, he notched his first professional goal in a striking 30-meter shot against Académica, quickly becoming known for his impact on the field.\n\n### Bayern Munich\nIn July 2016, Sanches moved to Bayern Munich for €35 million, making him the most expensive Portuguese player to leave the Primeira Liga at that time. Despite a promising start and winning the Golden Boy award, his first season saw limited impact, leading to a loan to Swansea City in the 2017–18 season. Sanches returned to Bayern in 2018, scoring his first goal for the club against Benfica in the Champions League but largely remained on the fringes of the team.\n\n### Lille\nIn August 2019, Sanches joined Lille for a then record fee. Over his tenure, he played a pivotal role in helping Lille clinch their first Ligue 1 title in a decade during the 2020–21 season, forming vital midfield partnerships.\n\n### Paris Saint-Germain and Loans\nSanches signed with PSG in August 2022, contributing notably in his debut. Following a season in Ligue 1, he was loaned to Roma, and subsequently returned to Benfica on loan in 2024 as part of a mutually beneficial transfer arrangement.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nSanches amassed 40 caps and 8 goals at youth levels for Portugal, showcasing his skills on European stages such as the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.\n\n### Senior National Team\nSanches made his senior debut in March 2016 and was a key figure in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2016-winning squad, earning the Young Player of the Tournament for his impressive performances. He has continued to contribute to Portugal in subsequent international tournaments, being instrumental during Euro 2020 despite the team's early exit.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nRenato Sanches is known for his versatility in midfield, capable of playing defensive, central, and attacking roles. His technical skills are complemented by physical strength and strategic vision, often compared to Dutch greats like Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf. Sanches's tactical adaptability has seen him deployed in various midfield configurations, where he leverages his agility and presence to affect games effectively.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nWhile specific performance statistics like matches played, goals scored, and assists were not given, Sanches's career is marked by key contributions, particularly in competitive matches for club and country.\n\n## Records\nSanches holds the distinction of being the youngest Portuguese to start in a major international tournament, a testament to his early emergence on the world stage.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Primeira Liga: 2015–16 (Benfica)\n- Taça da Liga: 2015–16 (Benfica)\n- Bundesliga Titles: 2016–17, 2018–19 (Bayern Munich)\n- Ligue 1: 2020–21 (Lille), 2022–23 (PSG)\n- UEFA European Championship: 2016 (Portugal)\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Golden Boy: 2016\n- UEFA European Championship Young Player of the Tournament: 2016\n- Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player: 2015–16\n- CNID Awards – Revelation of the Year: 2016\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nSanches received significant recognition early in his career with awards such as the Golden Boy and several accolades from his time in Primeira Liga, cementing his status as a top emerging talent.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nRenato Sanches has cemented his legacy as a dynamic midfielder with a blend of technical prowess and physicality that makes him a valuable asset in any team. His career highlights include crucial roles in title-winning campaigns at both club and international levels, particularly his standout performances during UEFA Euro 2016.\n\n## Off the Field\nWhile the article does not delve deeply into Sanches's life outside football, his personal experience growing up in Lisbon’s Musgueira neighborhood and the challenges faced might contribute to his grounded and resilient public image.\n\n## Personal Life\nSanches shares familial ties with fellow footballers Cláudio, Miguel, and Jair Tavares. The footballing lineage in his family further underscores his deep-rooted connection to the sport.","stb_internal_id":"019302df-38e2-76e5-8e48-9049a13c63d9","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":"central-midfied","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Renato Júnior Luz Sanches is a Portuguese professional footballer widely recognized for his versatility and significant contributions to club and international football. Born on 18 August 1997, Sanches has already achieved considerable success, including helping Portugal to their first UEFA European Championship title in 2016. Currently, he plays as a midfielder for the Primeira Liga club Benfica, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Sanches has a reputation for physical strength and technical skill, making him a pivotal figure for both his clubs and the national team.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Renato Sanches was born in the Hospital Amadora-Sintra in Lisbon's metropolitan area to parents Renato Sanches from São Tomé and Príncipe, and Maria das Dores from Cape Verde. Growing up in the economically disadvantaged neighborhood of Musgueira in Lisbon, his early life was shaped by his parents' separation and his father's work relocation to France. A late registration of his birth reflected the complexities of his early family life. Football came into his life at the age of eight at Águias da Musgueira and transitioned to Benfica's youth academy in 2006 when he was just nine.

Youth Career

Sanches' journey into professional football began with Benfica's youth system, where his potential quickly became apparent. He joined the club by impressing in training, initially sparking reservations due to the daily travel required to Benfica's Seixal academy. Sanches' development in Benfica's youth teams laid the groundwork for his professional career, contributing to Benfica's reserve team in the 2014–15 season before making his first-team debut in October 2015. His performances captured the attention of top European clubs.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Benfica

Renato Sanches made his professional debut for Benfica's B team in October 2014. His ascent to the first team began in the 2015–2016 season. Sanches played a crucial role as Benfica claimed the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga double. During this season, he notched his first professional goal in a striking 30-meter shot against Académica, quickly becoming known for his impact on the field.

Bayern Munich

In July 2016, Sanches moved to Bayern Munich for €35 million, making him the most expensive Portuguese player to leave the Primeira Liga at that time. Despite a promising start and winning the Golden Boy award, his first season saw limited impact, leading to a loan to Swansea City in the 2017–18 season. Sanches returned to Bayern in 2018, scoring his first goal for the club against Benfica in the Champions League but largely remained on the fringes of the team.

Lille

In August 2019, Sanches joined Lille for a then record fee. Over his tenure, he played a pivotal role in helping Lille clinch their first Ligue 1 title in a decade during the 2020–21 season, forming vital midfield partnerships.

Paris Saint-Germain and Loans

Sanches signed with PSG in August 2022, contributing notably in his debut. Following a season in Ligue 1, he was loaned to Roma, and subsequently returned to Benfica on loan in 2024 as part of a mutually beneficial transfer arrangement.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Sanches amassed 40 caps and 8 goals at youth levels for Portugal, showcasing his skills on European stages such as the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Senior National Team

Sanches made his senior debut in March 2016 and was a key figure in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2016-winning squad, earning the Young Player of the Tournament for his impressive performances. He has continued to contribute to Portugal in subsequent international tournaments, being instrumental during Euro 2020 despite the team's early exit.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Renato Sanches is known for his versatility in midfield, capable of playing defensive, central, and attacking roles. His technical skills are complemented by physical strength and strategic vision, often compared to Dutch greats like Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf. Sanches's tactical adaptability has seen him deployed in various midfield configurations, where he leverages his agility and presence to affect games effectively.

Performance Statistics

While specific performance statistics like matches played, goals scored, and assists were not given, Sanches's career is marked by key contributions, particularly in competitive matches for club and country.

Records

Sanches holds the distinction of being the youngest Portuguese to start in a major international tournament, a testament to his early emergence on the world stage.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Primeira Liga: 2015–16 (Benfica)
Taça da Liga: 2015–16 (Benfica)
Bundesliga Titles: 2016–17, 2018–19 (Bayern Munich)
Ligue 1: 2020–21 (Lille), 2022–23 (PSG)
UEFA European Championship: 2016 (Portugal)

Individual Achievements

Golden Boy: 2016
UEFA European Championship Young Player of the Tournament: 2016
Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player: 2015–16
CNID Awards – Revelation of the Year: 2016

Awards and Recognition

Sanches received significant recognition early in his career with awards such as the Golden Boy and several accolades from his time in Primeira Liga, cementing his status as a top emerging talent.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Renato Sanches has cemented his legacy as a dynamic midfielder with a blend of technical prowess and physicality that makes him a valuable asset in any team. His career highlights include crucial roles in title-winning campaigns at both club and international levels, particularly his standout performances during UEFA Euro 2016.

Off the Field

While the article does not delve deeply into Sanches's life outside football, his personal experience growing up in Lisbon’s Musgueira neighborhood and the challenges faced might contribute to his grounded and resilient public image.

Personal Life

Sanches shares familial ties with fellow footballers Cláudio, Miguel, and Jair Tavares. The footballing lineage in his family further underscores his deep-rooted connection to the sport.

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Renato Sanches: Profile