Overview
Renato Júnior Luz Sanches, commonly known as Renato Sanches, is a Portuguese professional footballer primarily operating as a central midfielder. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, on August 18, 1997, Sanches quickly rose through the ranks of Benfica's academy, making his senior debut at a young age. His powerful, energetic, and technically proficient style of play earned him significant attention early in his career, leading to a high-profile transfer to Bayern Munich. Standing at 1.76 meters, Sanches combines physical strength with close control and an ability to break lines with both passing and dribbling.
Position
Sanches is a versatile midfielder capable of playing in various central roles. He is most frequently deployed as a box-to-box midfielder, where his defensive work rate, ball-winning capabilities, and offensive contributions are maximized. He can also operate as a deeper-lying defensive midfielder, dictating play from the base, or as a more advanced attacking midfielder, utilizing his powerful shot and dribbling skills near the opposition's penalty area. His adaptability makes him a valuable asset in different tactical systems.
Identity
Renato Sanches's footballing identity is defined by his explosive power, relentless energy, and technical proficiency. He is often described as a dynamic midfielder who can impact both phases of play. His ability to carry the ball forward with strength and pace, combined with a keen eye for a pass and a potent long-range shot, marks him as a player who can turn defense into attack rapidly. Sanches has consistently demonstrated a capacity to perform under pressure, notably in major international tournaments for Portugal.
Career path
Renato Sanches's professional journey began at the SL Benfica academy, where he developed into one of Europe's most promising young talents. His rapid ascent saw him debut for Benfica B in October 2014, followed by his senior team debut for Benfica in October 2015 at the age of 18 [Transfermarkt]. He quickly established himself in the first team, playing a crucial role in Benfica's Primeira Liga title win in the 2015-16 season.
Benfica (2015–2016)
After progressing through Benfica's youth system, Sanches made his senior debut for the club on October 30, 2015. He scored his first goal for Benfica on November 25, 2015, with a powerful long-range strike against Académica. His performances throughout the 2015-16 season were instrumental, earning him widespread acclaim and attracting interest from top European clubs. He ended his debut season with 35 appearances across all competitions for Benfica, scoring two goals [Transfermarkt].
Bayern Munich (2016–2019)
In May 2016, Bayern Munich announced the signing of Sanches for an initial fee of €35 million, potentially rising to €80 million, making him the most expensive Portuguese player to leave the Primeira Liga at the time [Transfermarkt]. His debut season at Bayern, 2016-17, saw him struggle to consistently break into the starting XI amidst strong competition in midfield. He made 25 appearances but did not score any goals [Transfermarkt].
Swansea City (loan, 2017–2018)
To gain more first-team experience, Sanches was loaned to Premier League side Swansea City for the 2017-18 season [Transfermarkt]. His time in Wales was hampered by injuries and a lack of consistent form, and he returned to Bayern at the end of the season having made 15 appearances without scoring.
Return to Bayern and Lille (2018–2022)
Upon returning to Bayern for the 2018-19 season, Sanches showed glimpses of his potential, particularly under coach Niko Kovač. He scored his first goal for Bayern against his former club Benfica in the UEFA Champions League [UEFA Champions League]. Despite some improved performances, he moved to French club Lille OSC in August 2019 for a reported fee of €20 million [Transfermarkt]. At Lille, Sanches revitalized his career, becoming a key player in their unexpected Ligue 1 title win in the 2020-21 season. He made 90 appearances for Lille, scoring 6 goals [Transfermarkt].
Paris Saint-Germain (2022–2023)
In August 2022, Sanches joined Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of €15 million [Transfermarkt]. His tenure at PSG was again affected by injuries, limiting his impact. He featured in 27 matches across all competitions, scoring two goals, as PSG secured the Ligue 1 title [Transfermarkt].
Roma (loan, 2023–2024)
For the 2023-24 season, Sanches moved to AS Roma on a loan deal from PSG [Transfermarkt]. His time in Italy continued to be challenged by fitness issues, limiting his appearances.
Playing style
Renato Sanches is characterized by a dynamic and physically assertive playing style, primarily as a central midfielder. His attributes allow him to excel in both defensive and offensive phases, making him a true box-to-box presence. Sanches possesses exceptional strength and balance, enabling him to shield the ball effectively and shrug off challenges from opponents. This physicality is complemented by his powerful running, which he uses to drive forward from midfield, breaking lines and initiating attacks.
One of Sanches's standout technical attributes is his dribbling. He is adept at carrying the ball under pressure, often using close control and bursts of acceleration to navigate tight spaces and escape markers. This enables him to progress the ball through the midfield third, turning defensive situations into attacking opportunities. His dribbling success rate has been noted in various leagues, reflecting his confidence and ability on the ball [FBref].
Beyond his ball-carrying, Sanches possesses a powerful and accurate long-range shot. He is not hesitant to attempt shots from outside the penalty area, often finding the target with significant force. This adds another dimension to his offensive threat, forcing opposing defenses to close him down quickly. His passing range is also considerable, capable of executing both short, incisive passes and longer, diagonal balls to switch play or find wingers in advanced positions.
Defensively, Sanches contributes significantly through his work rate and tackling ability. He is an active presser, eager to win back possession high up the pitch, and demonstrates good anticipation in intercepting passes. His physical prowess makes him effective in duels, both on the ground and in the air, allowing him to break up opposition attacks. Compared to players like Arturo Vidal in his prime, Sanches shares a similar combative spirit and an ability to influence both ends of the pitch with his energy and power [Sofascore].
Achievements & honours
Renato Sanches has accumulated a significant number of team and individual accolades throughout his career, highlighting his impact at both club and international levels.
Club Honours
| Competition | Club | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Primeira Liga | Benfica | 2015–16 |
| Taça da Liga | Benfica | 2015–16 |
| Bundesliga | Bayern Munich | 2016–17, 2018–19 |
| DFB-Pokal | Bayern Munich | 2018–19 |
| DFL-Supercup | Bayern Munich | 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Ligue 1 | Lille | 2020–21 |
| Trophée des Champions | Lille | 2021 |
| Ligue 1 | Paris Saint-Germain | 2022–23 |
International Honours
| Competition | Team | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA European Championship | Portugal | 2016 |
| UEFA Nations League | Portugal | 2018–19 |
Individual Awards
- UEFA European Championship Young Player of the Tournament: 2016 [UEFA]
- Golden Boy award: 2016 [Wikipedia]
- Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2015–16
International career
Renato Sanches's international career for Portugal began with a rapid ascent from youth teams to the senior squad. He represented Portugal at various youth levels before making his senior debut on March 25, 2016, in a friendly against Bulgaria [FIFA]. His impactful performances in the build-up to UEFA Euro 2016 earned him a surprise call-up to the final squad, making him the youngest Portuguese player to be selected for an international tournament.
At Euro 2016, Sanches played a pivotal role in Portugal's historic triumph. He became the youngest player to play in a European Championship final at 18 years and 326 days [UEFA]. He scored his first international goal in the quarter-final against Poland, making him the youngest player to score in a knockout stage match at a European Championship. His performances throughout the tournament earned him the UEFA European Championship Young Player of the Tournament award [UEFA].
Sanches continued to be a part of the Portugal squad, featuring in the UEFA Nations League, which Portugal won in 2019 [UEFA]. He also represented his country at Euro 2020 (held in 2021) and was part of the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, though his role varied depending on form and fitness. As of May 2026, he has earned 32 caps for Portugal, scoring 3 goals [Transfermarkt].
What makes Renato Sanches stand out
Renato Sanches stands out primarily due to his unique blend of raw power, technical skill, and an aggressive, forward-thinking approach to midfield play. His ability to dominate the central areas of the pitch through sheer athleticism and his powerful ball-carrying runs distinguishes him from many contemporaries. Sanches's signature moment for many remains his breakout performance at Euro 2016, where, as a teenager, he demonstrated composure and impact beyond his years, culminating in a crucial goal against Poland and the Young Player of the Tournament award.
Another distinctive trait is his powerful, long-range shot. Sanches has a knack for scoring spectacular goals from outside the box, adding a significant offensive threat that forces opponents to defend deeper. His ability to combine defensive tenacity with offensive flair makes him a rare commodity in modern football.
"Renato Sanches has a huge future. He is a player who has a lot of power, a lot of technique, and a lot of personality." - Fernando Santos, former Portugal National Team Manager