Manuel Fernandes, Sporting’s eternal captain and an inescapable link to the club and Portuguese football history, died on Thursday evening from a long illness at the age of 73.
He appeared in the CUF sports group and arrived at Sporting in the 1975/76 season. He played at Alvalad for 12 seasons, becoming a symbol of the club.
With a lion on his chest, he won two national championship titles, two Portuguese Cups and a Super Cup.
He played 34 matches for the national team and scored 7 goals. He still holds the record of 486 games played in the Portuguese league.
Manuel Fernandez was born in Sarillos Pequenos and ended his career with the V. Setúbal.” He later became a coach and also managed his regular club, Sporting.