Top 10 stickers of the iconic 2002-03 Panini Futebol.
Most of you will think that Ronaldo is the only good sticker in this set (and with good reasons behind it), but what if I tell you there are stickers that are probably rarer than Ronaldo? From rookies to legends, and with some surprises, this set is one of the most memorable of all time.
10 – Eliseu Rookie Sticker – #59 – Belenenses
Eliseu is a former Benfica LB that was present during the club’s big wins of the later 2010s. Also was present in the team that won the Euro 2016 in France – this is a sticker that every Portuguese league and national team collector would want.
9 – Danny Rookie Sticker– #300 – Sporting
Also one of the Portuguese iconic players of all time, Danny’s first sticker is in this set. Arguably one of the best Russian league players of all time, Danny’s best performances came as a Zenit player – where he won the Footballer of the Year in Russia award in 2010.
8 – Bosingwa Rookie Sticker – #104 – Boavista
Bosingwa was part of those great early 2000s Porto teams that dominated Portugal. A great RB, he later moved to Chelsea, where he won the Champions League in 2012. He also participated with Portugal in the 2008 Euros.
7 – Mantorras – #85 – Benfica’s new black panther – Benfica
The second year sticker of Mantorras. Mantorras, ST, was truly an icon in Benfica. Benfica declined a very lucrative deal to Barcelona. Sadly a knee injury sidelined what could have been a great player. He only played 30 minutes for the rest of his career, but the crowd would go nuts for it.
6 – Quaresma – #290 or #301 – “Harry Potter” – Sporting
Another second year sticker. Quaresma, great dribbler, the “trivela king” is one of the best players to step foot in the Portuguese league. He’s a Sporting youth academy player, Porto icon, and Besiktas legend. Was part of the 2016 Portugal Euros Team.
Watch one of Quaresma’s iconic trivela’s while playing for Besiktas.
5 – Porto Squad – #244
Porto’s squad that won the 2003 UEFA cup. Features players like Vitor Baia, Ricardo Carvalho, Jorge Costa, Paulo Ferreira, Deco, Maniche, Costinha, Nuno Valente. A truly all-time great squad – led by Mourinho.
4 – Deco – #245 or #258 – The Magician – Porto
Arguably Porto’s best player at the time, Deco was the CAM for Porto and Portugal during the Euro 2004 and the 2008 World Cup. He had a great career in Portugal, but his best times came in Barcelona, where he played with Ronaldinho, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, to name a few. Won 2 champions leagues, one with Porto and another one with Barcelona.
3 – Ido – #190 – The hardest sticker to pull – Moreirense
Ido might sound like a random one, but hear me out first. Back then, the first edition stickers were the hardest to pull. The player moved mid-season, so, naturally, once the update set comes out, they replace him with another player that is part of the team. So once they are out of circulation, the population only becomes shorter. This is because people stuck him in the album. The less spares, the rarer he is – and, trust me, this is at least a 25€ sticker.
2 – Jardel – #307 – Super Mario – Sporting
Jardel falls on the same tracks of Ido. He moved mid-season, so, once the update came out, they replaced him on the second edition packs. He’s also a big name in Portugal, both Porto and Sporting icon, so naturally, people want his sticker. Was one of the hardest to pull as well. He was key for Galatasaray’s Super Cup win.
1 – Cristiano Ronaldo Rookie Sticker – #306 – Suiiiiiiiiiiiii – Sporting
No words needed.
Below is CR7’s career in stickers
Honourable Mentions
Fary (Beira-Mar) – Boavista legend
Bilro (União Leiria) – also played beach soccer for Portugal
Pedro Mendes (Vitoria) – 2nd year sticker
Tiago Mendes (Benfica) – 2nd year sticker
Nicolae – 2nd year sticker
Feher – Feher sadly died in a game vs Vitoria in 2004. To this day, his number is still retired at Benfica
Paulo Ferreira – 2nd year sticker
Ricardo Carvalho – 2nd year sticker
