Our new Portuguese gem: Ribeiro in focus
New signing from Sporting Lisbon
First Team
19.01.2026, 15:00
Rodrigo Ribeiro has recently been brought in to bolster FC Augsburg’s attacking options. The 20-year-old has joined FCA on loan with an option to buy from Sporting Lisbon, and looks to be an exciting and talented striker. The Portuguese was included in his first FCA matchday squad for the game against SC Freiburg.
Ribeiro was born in the northern Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo on 28th April 2005. His journey in football began at the age of seven, when he joined Perspectiva Em Jogo AD, an official Sporting Lisbon development programme in his city. In 2017, he moved from AC Alfenense to the youth academy of the legendary Lisbon club, following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, who also came through Sporting’s talent factory.
The young striker was handed his first-team debut in March 2022 in the Champions League against Manchester City, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to appear for the senior side. He has since made 12 appearances for Sporting, in amongst a series of loan moves. He spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on the books of Nottingham Forest, for whom he made five competitive appearances. His next stop came soon after his return to Sporting in summer 2024, as he was sent on a season-long loan to fellow Primeira Liga side AVS Futebol SAD. He made 21 appearances in the 2024/25 season and collected a lot of important match practice.
His return to Sporting at the start of the 2025/26 season saw him join up with the reserves and score five goals in 11 matches. He made his first-team return in November 2025 and was given minutes late on in the Champions League against Club Brugge. He also made appearances in his side’s 5-1 Allianz Cup win over Alverca, as well as in the 3-0 win in the Taça de Portugal against Marinhense.
Experienced youth international
Now the 20-year-old is looking to show off his quality, dynamism and technical ability in Augsburg. “I was immediately convinced by what the management at Augsburg showed me. I’m joining an ambitious club that puts its trust in young players and gives them the chance to show what they can do,” said Ribeiro on his arrival. Those in charge at FCA believe he can follow a similar development path to players who came before him, such as Renato Veiga and Arne Engels.
The striker also caught the eye of his country early on, having made his U16s debut for Portugal at just 14 years old. He impressed when given the chance in the U17s, scoring seven goals in 11 games, while wearing the number 7 shirt. Ribeiro is a regular in both the Portugal U19 and U20 sides. He has played for the U20s against sides like Italy and Germany, as well as leading his team onto the pitch as captain on two occasions.
