After one of the best releases in years, Panini 2020-21, you can check my top 10 on those, here, exclusively on soccerstickersfc.net, this one was a bit hit and miss – but there are a couple of interesting stickers in it. Let’s deep dive on it and discover together, shall we?
10 – Ricardo Quaresma – #321 – Final Career Sticker – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2001-2002
Quaresma is one of those all time greats that by now, you should know him. A former Sporting, Porto, Inter, Chelsea, Barcelona, Besiktas player, he stopped playing in 2022 (he did not fully retire, but has not got a club since). He won the 2016 Euro with Portugal.
9 – Tomás Handel Rookie Sticker – #316
Handel is one of those hidden gems of the Portuguese league. Few people will actually give you his name as a rookie you should be on the lookout, but he’s a quite good midfielder. You should be able to see him play, in the Conference League, for Vitoria (de Guimarães), if you somehow catch ones of their game in the competition.
8 – Abel Ruiz Rookie Sticker – #108
Abel Ruiz is a La Masia graduated. He is a Striker that likes to apply pressure to the opposite defenders, to disrupt the defensive lines and create plays for others. Current plays for Girona. Won the Gold Medal with Spain in the 2024 Olympics.
7 – Cristiano Ronaldo – #379 bis – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2002-2003
One of Cristiano Ronaldo’s first stickers back with Manchester United was present in Panini Futebol, in the “Bola de Ouro” subset. He’s one of those hard to get, since he’s an update set one. A must in every CR7 PC!
6 – Paulo Bernardo Rookie Sticker – #390 & #366
Paulo Bernardo was once considered to be one of Benfica’s top prospects, once compared to a young Rui Costa. Sadly, he never lived up to the hype and was loaned out to Celtic – where he found a place where he can call home! A regular for Celtic, and one of the club’s best players.
5 – Ivan Jaime Rookie Sticker – #140
Ivan Jaime, is a spanish attacking midfielder who some compared his run with Famalicão to what Pedro Gonçalves did for the club. He has his highs and lows, but had a superb start to the 2024-25 season, where he scored the game winning goal on a 4-3 epic Porto comeback. Currently plays for FC Porto.
4 – Yan Couto Rookie Sticker – #395
Yan Couto’s rookie is in the Panini Futebol set. The Brazilian right back did not make his name here in Portugal, with a subpar loan year for Braga. It was his performance for Girona that made him a Brazilian international. Currently plays for Dortmund.
3 – Cristiano Ronaldo – #379 – error sticker – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2002-2003
This Ronaldo sticker is a rare one. Was considered to be an error sticker, since he was already in Manchester when the collection came out. When the update set came out, they released the updated one, with the United kit. You can only get this sticker via pack – not available to purchase on the Panini’s “complete your album program”.
2 – Roger Fernandes Rookie Sticker – #398
The youngest rookie ever? Roger Fernandes’ rookie sticker came out when he was just 16! He’s the youngest ever to score in the Portuguese cup, at the age of 15. He’s still with Braga and he’s one of Portugal’s exciting prospects.
1 – Francisco Conceição Rookie Sticker – #248 bis & #361
Francisco Conceição is one of the most exciting wingers in football – a short, fast player, who plays primarily as an inside forward. Likes to beat his opponent by using his powerful dribbling. His low center of gravity helps him maneuver exceptionally in small spaces. Current plays for Juventus, on loan from FC Porto.
The Other Stickers
Summary
What do you think about this set? Personally I love the sticker design and the “força rookie” insert set – would be cool to see these ones in the future.
Ohobby out!