The 2002–03 season was Sporting Clube de Portugal's 96th season in existence and the club's 69th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football. In addition to the domestic league, Sporting CP participated in this season's editions of the Taça de Portugal, UEFA Champions League Qualifying rounds and UEFA Cup. The season covers the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003.
As defending league winners, the club collapsed in this season, finishing a massive 27 points behind league leader Jose Mourinho's FC Porto, and failing to win any trophies.[1] This was mainly due to issues in their attacking line, including an Mario Jardel injury in January.[2][3] In Europe the team was early eliminated early; in August the side was knocked out of the UEFA Champions League Qualifying round by Inter Milan. After that, in September Serbian squad Partizan FK defeated Sporting in the UEFA Cup first round. At the end of the season 18-yr-old midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo left the club to be transferred out to Manchester United.[4][5]
Squad[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Source: FootballPortugal A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; = Leader, UEFA Champions League Groups stage; = 2003-04 UEFA Champions League Qualifying round; = 2003-04 UEFA Cup