 Following his goal against Porto, shirt sales featuring Niculae's name and number went crazy making an income of nearly $65,000 that day.He received his first red card of his career next round, in a 0–3 away defeat against Belenenses, missing also a penalty in the process.He returned on the field following his one-match ban on 8 September, winning a penalty that gave Sporting a 1–0 lead against Leiria, after Mário Jardel converted from the spot.