Panathinaikos FC announces the addition of Renato Sanches to the squad on loan from French side Paris Saint-Germain! The 28-year-old Portuguese midfielder is the eighth signing of the Shamrock for the new season. With his footballing quality, his experience, and his winning mentality, he comes to further strengthen the Greens’ roster.
Renato Sanches was born on August 18, 1997, in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. At the age of 10, he joined Benfica’s academy, where his talent quickly stood out.
The first person at Portugal’s top club who believed in him and gave him the opportunity he needed was Rui Vitória! Our team’s current coach, a decade ago, took the then-18-year-old Sanches from Benfica’s B team, promoted him to the first squad, and gave him playing time almost immediately. The outcome of this decision was nothing short of impressive. The young midfielder introduced himself as the player who gave Benfica a new pace, earned his call-up to Portugal’s senior national team, and became one of the most valuable players at Euro 2016, where he was crowned European Champion! His debut season was a dream, leading to a major transfer worth €35 million to Bayern Munich.
In Bavaria, during his first season, he played in 25 matches and won the league title. However, the following season he was loaned to Welsh side Swansea. Returning to Bayern in 2018 gave him a second chance, but Sanches wanted guaranteed playing time, which in Munich wasn’t certain. He asked to leave, and Lille secured his signing. In France, he reminded everyone of the tireless engine he is in midfield. His career was revived, and after three excellent years at Lille, he “forced” French giants PSG to acquire him in 2022. Among the galaxy of stars in Paris, Sanches won the 2023 league title, but was then loaned to Roma and, a year later, to Benfica.
Sanches has represented Portugal at all youth levels, collecting 32 caps with the senior team.
He is truly a… trophy collector: European Champion with Portugal in 2016, Nations League winner in 2019, Portuguese champion in 2015 with Benfica, German champion in 2017, 2019, and 2020 with Bayern, French champion in 2021 with Lille and in 2023 with PSG, German Cup winner in 2019 and 2020, French Super Cup in 2022, and German Super Cup in 2017 and 2019.
We welcome Renato to the Panathinaikos family!
