 On 10 December 2002, he broke his toe in practice leading to a six-week absence.He returned on the field on 2 February 2003, in a 4–0 home win against Paços de Ferreira, coming off the bench in the 73rd minute to assist Mario Jardel's third goal and Sporting's fourth.Three days later he netted his team's only goal in a 1–0 victory against Académica Coimbra.