 he signed with Sporting CP, being an essential midfield element alongside Aldo Duscher in the latter club's 1999–2000 league conquest, after an 18-year drought.In 2001, Delfim moved to Olympique de Marseille in France, but also began an excruciating battle with injuries, appearing very rarely with the Ligue 1 side and almost retiring from football.In January 2002 he was reunited with former Sporting teammate Dimas and, after an unassuming stint with BSC Young Boys, eventually returned to Portugal.