Moutinho on for bounty

By Diogo Teixeira in Lisbon

Sporting Clube de Portugal's youth academy is famous for producing some of the world's best players, with the likes of Paulo Futre, Luís Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma having taken their first footballing steps at the club.

New prodigy
Now all eyes are focused on the latest star to roll off the Sporting production line, 18-year-old João Moutinho. Having started the season in the youth set-up, the midfield player stepped up to the first team in January with coach José Peseiro convinced that he was ready for life in the SuperLiga.

European success
He has since proved that he was ready for Europe as well, with his ability to take on opponents and provide killer passes contributing to Sporting's progress to the UEFA Cup final. As a result, coaches and scouts from all over Europe are starting to take notice of the youngster.

'Outstanding player'
The coach of Sporting's vanquished semi-final opponents AZ Alkmaar, Co Adriaanse, said Moutinho was the Lisbon side's best player. "I was very surprised when I realised that he was on the bench for the semi-final first leg at the [Estádio José] Alvalade," said Adriaanse. "He is an outstanding player."

Football first
However, Moutinho himself is trying to ignore the clamour and concentrate on improving his game. "When I was called to the first team, I knew I had a lot of work in front of me," he told uefa.com. "I am doing my best and things are coming to me at a natural pace."

Improbable scenario
With the prospect of playing in the UEFA Cup final against PFC CSKA Moskva tonight, any thoughts of transfers are far from Moutinho's mind. "Being in the UEFA Cup final at 18 is more than I would have dared hope for at the start of the season," he said. "Why would I think of moving to another club?"

Benfica disappointment
His delight at reaching the final was somewhat tempered at the weekend when Sporting lost 1-0 at SL Benfica to all but hand the SuperLiga title to their Lisbon rivals. As he looked ahead to Wednesday's match, he said: "Of course I feel very happy but we haven't won anything yet."

Russian role
Home advantage has certainly pushed the odds in Sporting's favour but with CSKA already having caused both Benfica and FC Porto their share of problems on home soil in Europe this season, the 'Lisbon Lions' will be aware that the resilient Russians have come to spoil the party at the Alvalade.

United front
With a defence that has conceded just four goals in eight UEFA Cup games, Valeri Gazzaev's side have showed immense collective strength this season, although Moutinho insists the same is true of his own team. "We are very united and without everybody's efforts we wouldn't be here," he said.

Quiet confidence
Perhaps as a result of that, Moutinho is quietly confident about the task that lies ahead as Sporting strive to win their first European title since they lifted the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup following a replay against Hungarian side MTK Hungária FC back in 1963/64.

'Good form'
"We will do everything we can to lift the trophy at the end of the game," said Moutinho. "The team are in good form at the moment, and I believe that we will be able to do it." A success could yet prove to be the making of this latest Sporting legend in waiting.