Chelsea's newest signing Geovany Quenda hopes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo by leaving Sporting's academy for the challenge and exposure of the Premier League.
Often compared stylistically to ******* nal winger Bukayo Saka, Quenda's journey began with an episode that has since become part of his personal folklore.
Arriving at an early training session at grassroots club Damaiense wearing jeans and shoes, he was initially told he could not take part.
But after producing an effortless first touch and dribble when the ball came his way, coach Ana Correia persuaded club officials to "make an exception" for Quenda, as she later recalled in an interview with Sabado.
Quenda's path to the top was far from conventional. Born in Guinea-Bissau, he moved to Portugal at the age of seven and had to adapt quickly to a new environment.