The player, who is widely rumoured as being scouted by both Manchester United and Manchester City, was takled by mid fielder Gonçalo Franco in the first half of the game, leading him to be taken off the pitch with a lower leg injury.

Play backs of the incident appear to show the lower leg “snapping” leading the footage of the 18 year-old to be widely shared across social media.

Since making his first appearance for Sporting during the summer restart last season, Nuno Mendes has made an impressive 36 appearances for the team, which has helped to stoke the rumour mill regarding his future.