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Geovany Quenda
Geovany Tcherno Quenda (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒiuˈvɐ̃ˈkẽdɐ]; born 30 April 2007) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as right-winger or right wing-back for Primeira Liga club Sporting CP and the Portugal National Team. Coming through Sporting CP's youth system, Quenda was promoted to the first-team in 2024 and subsequently established himself as an integral player for them. Born in Guinea-Bissau, he represented Portugal at youth level, being part of the under-17 team that finished as runners-up in the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Club careerEarly careerGeovany Quenda was born in Guinea-Bissau on 30 April 2007.[1] He moved to Portugal as a child and began his footballing career in Amadora, at the Damaiense's under-10s in the 2016–17 season. He attracted the interest of Benfica who took him to the Benfica Campus in Seixal. After two full seasons with Benfica's youth ranks (2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons),[2] Quenda, who was 13 at the time, decided to leave the club for Sporting CP after Benfica failed to provide a room for him at the Benfica Campus as promised.[3] Sporting CP2022–24: Youth careerIn the 2021–22 season, already fully integrated as a youth player in Sporting CP's Cristiano Ronaldo Academy, he played for Sporting CP's under-15s team, winning the national championship, and the under-17s, scoring 20 goals in that season. In August 2023, he signed a professional contract with Sporting CP.[4] In the 2023–24 season, Quenda was part of Sporting CP's under-23 team in the Liga Revelação (U-23 league), despite being only 16 years old at the time.[5][6][7] He also began to be called up by manager Rúben Amorim for the first team on several occasions, although as an unused substitute.[8][9] On 17 February 2024, Quenda became the youngest ever player to play for Sporting's reserve team, when he started a Liga 3 game against Amora at the age of 16.[10][11] 2024–25: Rise to the first team and breakthroughThe following season, Quenda was fully integrated to the first team, where he was adapted to play as a right wing-back, despite being naturally a right winger, earning the praise of his manager Ruben Amorim, after impressing during the club's pre-season, stating that "he is very talented, very mature, and understands the game like an adult".[12] He made his first team debut on 3 August, and he became the youngest player aged (17 years and 95 days) to score for the club, netting the third goal in a 4–3 loss to rivals Porto in the 2024 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.[13] After impressing both offensively and defensively, especially for his young age, according to Rúben Amorim, he earned a place as a starter, with Quenda making his league debut for the club on 9 August in a 3–1 home win over against Rio Ave.[14] On 12 September, he agreed to a contract extension to 2027, increasing his buyout clause from €45 million to €100 million.[15] Five days later, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, starting in the 2–0 victory over Lille during the inaugural matchday of the newly formatted Champions League league phase.[16] On 26 October, he scored his first league goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Famalicão; at 17 years, five months and 27 days, he became the youngest player to score a league goal for Sporting surpassing Sporting CP Youth Academy graduates Simão Sabrosa (17 years, six months and 16 days, in 1997) and Cristiano Ronaldo (17 years, eight months and 3 days, in 2002).[17][18] International careerQuenda chose to represent Portugal internationally. With the under-17 side, Quenda participated in the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Cyprus. Portugal finished as runners-up, after losing in the final 3–0 to Italy. For his performances throughout the competition, he was named in the "Team of the Tournament".[19][5][20] He was called up to the senior side for the first time, on 30 August 2024, ahead of the opening UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland the following month.[21] On 11 October, Quenda made his under-21 debut, playing the entire 3–1 win in Faroe Islands in a qualifying match for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[22] Style of playQuenda is a versatile player who operates as a right wing-back in Sporting CP’s 3–4–3. A left-footed player occupying the right side, Quenda excels in 1v1 situations with his combination of pace, agility, and dribbling skills, due to his background as a right winger.[23] His ability to maintain control of the ball at high speeds makes him a reliable outlet on the flank, despite playing in a defensive role, he consistently initiates progressive runs, creates opportunities, and provides an offensive edge to his team's play.[24] Capable of playing as a right winger or second striker, he is known for maintaining his pace while dribbling, making him difficult to dispossess, frequently utilizing his ability to break defensive lines through quick passing combinations and direct play.[12] Pundits on occasion have cited needs for improvement on his positioning, decision-making and finishing to adjust to the demands of his new role, however his pressing intensity and work rate are praised. In 2024, he was praised by Portugal's national coach Roberto Martinez in an interview with A Bola, who called him "a creative player" and praised his "one-on-one quality".[25] Career statistics
HonoursPortugal U17
Individual
References
External links
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