By Brian Marjoribanks At Sporting Lisbon's campus in Alcohete, south of the River Tagus, images of Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo decorate the walls. For now, at least, they serve as a reminder that success in football does not always have to be measured in league titles. When Real Madrid's Ronaldo secured his second Ballon d'Or earlier this year, it was the third time since 2000 that the World Player of the Year had been a graduate of the Portuguese club's fabled academy. Of all of Europe's talent factories, only Barcelona's famed La Masia can beat Sporting's record. Yet while the senior side have not won a Primera Liga title since 2002, there was progress last season at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Sporting's impressive, modern 50,000-capacity stadium. A second-place finish in the league represented a fair improvement on seventh the previous season.
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Ryan Gauld moved to Sporting Lisbon on a six-year contract
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Scottish teenager nicknamed 'Baby Messi' after Barcelona ace Lionel Messi
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Gauld left Dundee United for Portugal in a £3million move
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It will cost £48m to buy the 18-year-old out of his Sporting Lisbon contract
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting
Sporting
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon
I suspect @placeholder will have a four-year plan for Ryan to improve him then sell him on for a big profit.
Ryan Gauld
Gauld
'It will be hard for @placeholder, adjusting to the culture and the language, and when the league kicks off next month it will be roasting hot.
Ryan Gauld
Gauld
'It's going to be very different to what @placeholder is used to.
Estadio Jose Alvalade
'I didn't get the chance to play at the @placeholder but I did play against Sporting Lisbon at home.
Ryan Gauld
Gauld
'My advice to @placeholder would be to enjoy the challenge and the opportunity but also try to learn the language.