Afonso Moreira: Who is Bayer Leverkusen's fleet-footed Portuguese winger?
After playing a key role in Olympique Lyon’s return to the UEFA Champions League in 2025/26, Afonso Moreira has joined Carles Martínez’s Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the new campaign. We run the rule over the Portuguese wideman…
Data correct as of 19 June 2026
Afonso Moreira
Age: 21 (born 19 March 2005)
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Left winger
Country: Portugal (Three U21 caps)
Key stats
Moreira was just 12 years old when he left his hometown club, Cracks Clube de Lamego, for Sporting Lisbon’s famed academy in 2017. He signed his first professional contract in July 2021 before cementing his place in Sporting’s reserve side the following season, making 33 appearances combined in the Portuguese third tier and UEFA Youth League.
The fleet-footed winger made his first-team debut on the opening day of the 2023/24 campaign, coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes of a 3-2 victory over Vizela. He spent the second half of the season at Sporting’s top-flight rivals Gil Vicente, but an ankle injury restricted him to just five appearances for the Barcelos-based outfit.
While further first-team outings proved hard to come by on his return to Sporting, Moreira was handed his first taste of the UEFA Champions League in a last-16 second-leg tie at Borussia Dortmund in February 2025. He continued to shine for the club’s B team, helping them secure promotion from the third to the second tier.
He swapped Portugal for France in summer 2025, joining Lyon on a contract until 2029. After making his Ligue 1 debut against Metz that August, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 UEFA Europa League win over Basel before netting a last-minute winner off the bench in a 2-1 victory over Strasbourg.
Two assists against Paris FC the following weekend cemented Moreira’s place in Lyon’s first team under Paulo Fonseca. He finished the campaign on 19 goal involvements in 37 appearances across all competitions - including a goal and an assist in a memorable 2-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain in April.
Moreira has yet to make his senior international debut but has already caught the eye at youth level, having scored four goals in just five appearances in Portugal’s European Under-17 Championship campaign in 2017.
Plays a bit like: Saïd El Mala
A left winger who loves to cut inside onto his right foot, Moreira and Cologne starlet El Mala certainly have similar traits. Both are known for their explosive pace, close control and ability to break defensive lines, although El Mala was deployed as a centre-forward in the latter part of the 2025/26 campaign.
Did you know?
Moreira holds the record for the fastest Coupe de France goal in Lyon’s history, having found the net after just 45 seconds in a last-32 tie against Lille on 11 January 2026.
What they're saying
“He has perhaps been the most influential player on our team, with assists and goals. He’s a kid with incredible energy. His performances have been a pleasant surprise, but he deserves credit. - Paulo Fonseca, Lyon coach, in January 2026
“I really believe in Afonso Moreira. He plays well with both feet and has a lot of quality. He has very good characteristics.” - Ruben Amorim, former Sporting coach, in April 2023
“His pace and ability to link up with his team-mates make him a perfect fit for our team. We are looking forward to welcoming a very exciting player with great potential.” - Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen sporting director
