Sporting CP have paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo with a brand new third kit for the 2023/24 season.
The Portuguese club are celebrating their 20th year at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. The opening match at the stadium was also Ronaldo's final game for the club before joining Manchester United.
Sporting hosted the Red Devils in a preseason friendly to mark the opening of the new stadium, a match in which Ronaldo left Sir Alex Ferguson with no choice but to sign him.
The Sporting News looks at how you can buy the special jersey, and the explanation behind its design.
MORE: All Ronaldo's goals in his first season with Al Nassr
How to buy special Cristiano Ronaldo jersey by Sporting CP
Sporting's new third kit is primarily black with gold sleeves and sponsors. The club call it their 'Lion Skin', describing it as a "unique jersey that completes a virtuous triangle between Sporting CP, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Nike".
The tribute to Ronaldo is on the opposite side of the badge on the right side of the shirt, where it says 'CR7'.
The shorts and socks for the third kit also feature the 'CR7' logo, while the club are also releasing a training top with the same printing. The gold on the kit represents the success Ronaldo has had since leaving his boyhood club, which includes five Ballons d'Or.
Fans can buy the third kit and training top on the Sporting website and choose from various sizes as well as player options.
Cristiano Ronaldo Sporting CP record
Ronaldo was promoted to the Sporting senior team at the age of 16 by manager Laszlo Boloni after spending around five years in the academy. He became the first player in the club's history to play for the U16s, U17s, U18s, the B team and the first team within a single season.
He made his debut for the senior team in September 2002, and his performances throughout the season reportedly caught the eyes of Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier, who were Arsenal and Liverpool managers at the time, and Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
Man United initially wanted to loan Ronaldo back to Sporting for a season after signing him, but his performance against them in preseason changed their plans. Since that transfer, Ronaldo has become one of the most successful footballers of all time, winning five Champions Leagues and five Ballons d'Or along with the 2016 European Championship with Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo Sporting CP stats
| Games | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 5 | 6 | 1,391 |