The young stars that led Sporting to the Liga NOS title

Sporting CP caused a shock this season by becoming Liga NOS champions for the first time in 19 years, and they did so with a young squad and many homegrown players.

The Lisbon club's famed academy has produced many top footballers over the years, but too often then on-field beneficiaries of this production line have been other clubs, as well as the Portuguese national team, and not Sporting themselves.

The likes of Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and Joao Moutinho would go on to have decorated careers, but they never won a league title with Sporting, where they came through the academy and made their professional debuts.

In more recent times, Sporting youth products such as Adrien Silva, Rui Patricio, Cedric Soares, Bruma, William Carvalho, Gelson Martins, Rafael Leao, Daniel Podence, Matheus Pereira, Ruben Semedo and Eric Dier have all left the club in high-profile deals, but none became a league champion before doing so.

Now, a new generation of youngsters, with the trust and guidance of the youngest head coach in the Liga NOS, have done just that and proven that you can with things with kids.

Sporting had the fourth-youngest team in the Liga NOS this season, with an average age of 24.9, and their head coach Ruben Amorim is just 36 years old. Together, they achieved something that would have been completely unthinkable at the beginning of the season.

Here we take a look at some of the young players who were crucial to the Lions' historic success this season, not only in winning the league but becoming the first Portuguese team to ever go more than 30 league games without defeat in a single season - they would end the campaign with just one loss.

Nuno Mendes

Perhaps the pick of the bunch, the 18-year-old full-back is a bona fide star and it is no wonder he has already attracted attention from the likes of Manchester City.

A senior international with Portugal, Mendes will be competing for a starting spot at Euro 2020 with Borussia Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro.

Playing at left wing-back, he was a key cog in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system for Sporting this season, tirelessly excelling in defence and attack.

The Sintra native is fast, intelligent, comfortable on the ball, and as adept at dispossessing opposition forwards as driving past several players himself.

Sporting would love to keep him for another year or two, but they may face a battle to do so as Mendes is destined for the very top of the game.

Pedro Goncalves

To give an idea of how the 22-year-old's season has gone: he won his first Portugal under-21 cap last September and will be going to Euro 2020 with the senior squad next month, with Fernando Santos naming the uncapped Goncalves ahead of his more experienced teammate Joao Mario.

The Portuguese attacking midfielder was the top scorer in the Liga NOS this season with 23 goals in 32 games and the top-scoring midfielder across all of Europe's top six leagues.

He certainly went a long way to filling the void left by Bruno Fernandes, who was sold to Manchester United in January 2020.

Goncalves' breakout season - his first at Sporting after joining from Famalicao for six million euros - has unsurprisingly attracted plenty of attention, with Liverpool's interest reported in recent days.

Goncalo Inacio

The 19-year-old defender featured in 20 league games this season after making his debut in October.

Inacio became part of a tight unit which conceded just 20 goals in 34 Liga NOS games, while he also stood out for his composure on the ball and range of passing.

Jovane Cabral

The 22-year-old Cape Verdean-born winger, another academy graduate, was so often an impact sub, with his pace and direct style a nightmare for tiring defences.

With a strong physique, Jovane was also occasionally used as a false No.9, and he has an underrated eye for a pass.

Aside from contributing to the successful league campaign, a season highlight for him was perhaps his two late goals - both excellent finishes - after coming on against Porto in the league cup semi-final to win the tie 2-1.

Matheus Nunes

The 22-year-old Brazilian joined Sporting from Estoril in January 2019 for 500,000 euros and, despite losing his place in the starting line-up to Joao Mario, was an important figure this season.

Matheus isn't known as a goalscorer, but he chipped in with three league goals, including winners against Braga and Benfica, which were vital in securing the title.

Pedro Porro

One of Sporting's top players this season was Pedro Porro, a 21-year-old right-back on loan from Manchester City.

The Spaniard's passion, determination and quality at both ends of the pitch was key to the title win, and he earned his first international cap as well.

Daniel Braganca

The academy graduate had to compete for minutes with the likes of Pedro Goncalves and Joao Mario, but Amorim would often turn to him from the bench due his passing skills, which can unlock a stubborn defence.

Braganca, 21, won fans over with his classy displays and we are sure to see more of him in the future, starting at this summer's European Under-21 Championship.

Tiago Tomas

The 18-year-old forward, who will join Braganca in the Portugal under-21 squad, scored six goals in 37 appearances in all competitions this season and showed plenty of promise.

His movement, clever hold-up play and energy make him a good option to have, whether as a No.9 or in a supporting role.

Tomas is sure to have a big future at Sporting, although he is already turning heads further afield, with Arsenal reported to be very keen.

Joao Palhinha

Another member of Portugal's European Championship squad, Joao Palhinha has been one of Sporting's most consistent performers this season, missing just two Liga NOS games.

As the more defensive-minded central midfielder, his solid displays allowed the more creative players around him to shine.

At 25 years old Palhinha might be considered too old for this list, but his story is a great example of perseverance as he looked close to leaving the Lions last summer after multiple loan moves, but now he is a league champion with the team he came through at.

The future

The best business that Sporting can do this summer is to hold on to as many of these players as possible and continue to allow them - and others - to develop and thrive in the first team.

For some, their futures may lie beyond Lisbon sooner or later, but for now, at least, Sporting's academy has finally brought some real success to the club and there are plenty of lessons to be learnt from that.