Sporting were league champions once again, after a 3 year hiatus. Led by Ruben Amorim, the “leões” were almost unstoppable. Here is my top 10 stickers of the set:
The Panini Futebol 2023-2024 Complete Album
10 – Lukáš Horníček Rookie Sticker – #78
Hornicek is considered by some to be the “next Petr Cech”. Although these are hard boots to fill, I still believe in the quality of this kid. He not only made his senior debut for Braga last season, but his hobby debut as well.
9 – Mateus Fernandes Rookie Sticker – #147
Mateus had an exciting preseason with Sporting, but close to the deadline he was loaned out to Estoril. At just 18, had a breakout season, with a lot of good performances in the midfield. Moved to Southampton, during the summer.
8 – Catamo Rookie Sticker – #319
Catamo was key for Sporting. He scored the winning goal in the 92th minute vs Benfica, in a game which Sporting clinched the title.He’s a proper full back, can play at RB, RM and RW, it all depends on what the coach wants from him, in that particular game.
7 – Otávio Rookie Sticker – #176 / #465
Otavio had such a great start to the season that Porto signed him up during the winter. Since Panini updates the set during the winter, he’s one of the few players to have his rookie sticker in two different teams in the same season: one for Famalicão and other for Porto.
6 – Pepe – #271/#384/#398/Premium – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2003-2004
The legendary Pepe just retired this season, and thus, this marks his last ever Panini Futebol sticker. He also has one “premium” sticker.
5 – João Neves – #49/ #393/#401 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2022-2023
João Neves’ market was red hot last season, even being his second year sticker, there was a lot of buzz for it online. He’s now moved to PSG, where he’s expected to be as good as he was for Benfica.
4 – Di Maria – #53/ #367/#404/Premium – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2007-2008
This sticker marked the return of one of the club’s icons. This was his first year back with Benfica since he left in 2010.
3 – Gianluca Prestianni Rookie Sticker – #446
Prestianni is one of Argentina’s top prospects, and, during last winter, Benfica signed him from Argentina. He’s compared to Di Maria. His rookie sticker just came out in this set. He started the 2024-25 preseason red hot, being the starter in most games, which led him to be the starter on the first matchday of the season. He’s finding his groove on the team.
2 – Cristiano Ronaldo – Premium sticker / #426 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2002-2003
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first official Al-Nassr stickers are present in this set – a good move by Panini. The GOAT is always a nice addition to any set, and this just makes the Portuguese league one, a more desirable one too. The premium stickers are gold foil ones – and you don’t need them to complete the album. He also has a “World Series” insert, also with the Al-Nassr kit.
1 – Viktor Gyökeres Rookie Sticker – #321/#383/#405
One of the hottest players in the hobby, Gyokeres’ rookie is present in the portuguese league set. He scored 43 and assisted 14 in just 50 games for Sporting last season. He’s already on the pace to score 50 goals this season. A move in the summer is inevitable. I expect his stock to continue to rise during the Champions League games.
Check out my other article I wrote a while back on Gyokeres – Click
The Additional Stickers
Summary
And that was it! This season was an odd one – there weren’t that many rookie stickers, but there are some with great potential – like Prestianni or Gyokeres. I’m curious to see what Panini brings to the table, next season, in the new Panini Futebol set.
And that’s a wrap! OHobby out !
