By Melody Gross 
Sporting today issued a note of condolence on the death of João Oliveira Pinto, the former Lions-trained footballer who was FIFA Under-20 World Champion with Portugal in 1991, who has died aged 52.
“To the family and friends, Sporting extends its deepest condolences, without forgetting to praise and thank you for the years of effort and dedication to the club,” it can be read in the note published today by the “Greens and Whites” newspaper.
João Oliveira Pinto trained at the Lisbon club, and later played for several clubs, such as Vitoria Guimarães, Estoril Praia, Gil Vicente, Sporting de Braga, Farense, Marítimo, Académica, in addition to other clubs such as Atlético, Immortal, Amora, Sesimbra and Alfrem.
Today, Al-Farem specifically remembered his farewell to his career at that club, in the “best season,” 2008/09, while Sesimbra remembered “the great player and the great man,” by standing for a minute of silence in the next match.
Farence, Gil Vicente and Atletico also published messages of condolence to the former footballer.
Former footballer João Oliveira Pinto, the 1991 U-20 world champion, died today at the age of 52, the victim of a long illness, the president of the Professional Footballers' Association (SJPF) confirmed to Lusa newspaper.
Joao Oliveira Pinto, one of the world under-20 champions of the so-called “Golden Generation” in Lisbon in 1991, trained at Sporting, played for several clubs and was also runner-up to the European Under-21 champions.