36 Facts About Renato Sanches

1.

Renato Sanches's performances fell during his first season with the club, leading him to be loaned to Premier League side Swansea City in August 2017.

2.

Renato Sanches won 40 caps and scored 8 goals for Portugal at youth level.

3.

Renato Sanches made his full international debut in March 2016 and was chosen for UEFA Euro 2016 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.

4.

Renato Sanches 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.

5.

Renato Sanches started training in football at Aguias da Musgueira at age eight, and joined Benfica's youth system in 2006 at age nine.

6.

Renato Sanches 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.

7.

Renato Sanches responded to the provocation with a smile and moved his arms, mimicking a monkey.

8.

Renato 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.

9.

Renato Sanches started just four league games and playing the entirety of only one.

10.

Renato Sanches had to compete with more experienced players like Arturo Vidal, Thiago and Xabi Alonso for playing time.

11.

On 31 August 2017, Renato Sanches joined Premier League club Swansea City on a one-year loan lasting until 30 June 2018.

12.

Renato Sanches was loaned to Swansea in order to play regularly in a strong league.

13.

Renato Sanches suffered hamstring injuries in two consecutive FA Cup matches in January 2018, and new manager Carlos Carvalhal allowed him to go home so the warmer weather could aid his rehabilitation.

14.

Renato Sanches did not play a competitive match after 2 January 2018 until the end of the season.

15.

Renato Sanches stopped learning when he left Benfica and went to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

16.

Renato Sanches has skills that you don't see every day in the Bundesliga; that's why FC Bayern signed him.

17.

On 19 December 2018, Renato Sanches was sent-off against RB Leipzig.

18.

Renato Sanches 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.

19.

On 4 August 2022, Renato Sanches signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent deal until 30 June 2027.

20.

Renato Sanches scored his team's fifth goal moments after having come on the pitch.

21.

Renato Sanches gained 40 caps for Portugal all youth categories comprised.

22.

Renato Sanches represented Portugal in the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, helping them reach the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners, England.

23.

Renato Sanches was named in the Team of the Tournament.

24.

On 18 March 2016, Renato Sanches was called up by Fernando Santos for the senior squad to play friendlies against Bulgaria and Belgium.

25.

Renato Sanches was called up for UEFA Euro 2016, making him the youngest Portuguese to be selected for an international competition, breaking a record held by Cristiano Ronaldo for 12 years.

26.

Five days later in the quarter-finals against Poland, Renato Sanches overtook Ronaldo's record as the youngest Portuguese to start in a major tournament.

27.

Renato Sanches was absent from the 35-man preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

28.

In September 2018, Renato Sanches was called up for the friendly match against Croatia and the UEFA Nations League match against Italy.

29.

Renato Sanches was named in Portugal's final squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.

30.

Renato Sanches has been noted for his versatility in midfield, being comfortable in defensive, attacking, central and wide roles.

31.

Renato Sanches's attributes include physical strength, passing ability, and being composed in possession.

32.

However, in an interview to Benfica TV, Renato Sanches compared his style with that of another Dutchman of Davids' era, Clarence Seedorf.

33.

Opponents of Renato Sanches have claimed he is older than his birth certificate states, basing their judgement on the gap between his birth and its registration.

34.

In March 2016, as Sporting CP challenged Benfica for the league title, Sporting's then-president Bruno de Carvalho accused Renato Sanches of lying about his age.

35.

Renato Sanches requested Carvalho publicly apologise or face a lawsuit for defamation.

36.

On 8 July 2016, the hospital where Renato Sanches was born published the document which proved he was born on 18 August 1997 at 15:25 local time.