Fernando Santos includes Alvalade five for Confederations Cup

The national team coach Fernando Santos has included a total of five Sporting CP players in his squad of 24 for the coming friendly, World Cup qualifier and Confederations Cup fixtures.

The five are Rui Patrício, Beto, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva and Gelson Martins, who will face Cyprus on the 3rd of June (friendly) and Lithuania (World Cup qualifier), before travelling to Russia for the Confederations Cup.

Alvalade trio in action for World Cup 2018 qualifier

Liga NOS will enjoy an international break after this weekend's action, with a World Cup 2018 qualifier between Portugal and Hungary scheduled for the 25th of March in Estádio da Luz and a friendly against Sweden in Funchal. 

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting CP), Anthony Lopes (Lyon) and Marafona (Sp. de Braga);

Defenders: Nelson Semedo (Benfica), João Cancelo (Valencia), Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Luís Neto (Zenit), José Fonte (Southampton), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Pepe (Real Madrid), Eliseu (Benfica) and Cédric Soares (Southampton);

Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), Pizzi (Benfica), Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich), João Mário (Inter Milan), André Gomes (FC Barcelona) and João Moutinho (Monaco);

Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille) and André Silva (FC Porto)

Gelson Martins pens deal until 2022

Gelson Martins secured a contract extension until 2022 this week, after a brilliant season under the guidance of Jorge Jesus.

"I am really happy and proud. Now I want to carry on working to do even better", said Gelson in an interview with the Sporting Journal, adding: "I have worked as hard as I can to be recognised and now I want to repay the confidence people placed in me. I really want to thank the fans for getting behind us. We work for them and we will carry on doing our best."

Gelson Martins

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Gelson Martins for the extension of the player's contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Gelson Martins the best of professional and personal success.

Alvalade winger in the limelight around Europe

Gelson Martins' wonder goal against Paços de Ferreira this weekend has been attracting the attention of the press around the world, including from the Spanish publication, As.

In addition to footage of the goal, the journalist affirmed "Sporting CP's jewel, who is wanted by half of Europe, pulled off this wonder against Paços de Ferreira", in an article with the title "Excellence of Gelson Martins. Chips the goalkeeper and scores!"

To relive Gelson's goal, you can find the original article here.

Filipe Chaby scoops similar award for Ledman LigaPro

The Sporting CP winger has yet again scooped an award, this time as the Liga NOS Youth Player of the Month for December.

Gelson had already claimed the nomination for August and September, this time tallying 16.34% of the vote to beat Nélson Semedo (Benfica - 13,67%) and Daniel Podence (Moreirense - 11.1%).

Meanwhile Filips Chaby claimed the same award for Ledman LigaPro.

Alvalde youngster scooped award in August and September

Gelson Martins was officially presented with the Young Player of the Month awards for August and September this Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the Sporting Academy after the day's training session.

"This is recognition of my individually work and the whole team. I am happy, it is a nice award for everyone. A player can't do anything on their own", said Gelson in an interview with Sporting TV.

William Carvalho and Gelson Martins on Tuesday's Champions League encounter

"Obviously playing with less numbers is hard, but honestly I didn't see what happened", said William Carvalho at the final whistle on Tuesday, before reflecting on Sporting CP's European campaign so far this season: "We have done well, despite not getting into the next round. The fans have really been behind us and we have to thank them for that."

Gelson Martins again attracted the limelight with another classy performance and the young winger was also sought after by the press at the final whistle. "We started well and we equalised. We didn't get the result but I thought we reacted well to the occasion. I didn't see what happened (in relation to the sending off of João Pereira), but it made things harder for us", said Martins, adding a word on the praise aimed at him by Zidane: "I won't get carried away by it, but of course I am happy. Real Madrid looking at me doesn't bother me. I have five years left on my contract with Sporting CP and I intend to see them out."

Rui Patrício, Adrien, William and Gelson all given the green light for Lithuania

National team coach Fernando Santos released his squad list for the coming World Cup 2018 qualifier against Lithuania this week.

A total of four Sporting players feature in the squad of 24 Rui Patrício, Adrien, William Carvalho and Gelson Martins.

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Marafona (Sp. Braga) and Rui Patrício (Sporting CP);

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Antunes (Dynamo Kiev), João Cancelo (Valencia), José Fonte (Southampton), Luís Neto (Zenit), Nélson Semedo (Benfica) and Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund);

Midfielders: André Gomes (Barcelona), Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), João Mário (Inter de Milão), Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich) and William Carvalho (Sporting CP)

Forwards: André Silva (FC Porto), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Pizzi (Benfica), Nani (Valencia) and Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).

Alvalade startlet adds to his Youth Player of the Month with I Liga Player of the Month title

There were very few doubts about his talent, but nobody expected Gelson to burst on to the scene the way he has this season. In recognition of his superb showings so far this season, the Alvalade startlet has now added the I Liga Player of the Month for August and September to his Youth Player of the Month for the same period.

André Silva claimed second (for both awards), while Alvalade skipper Adrien Silva came in 3rd. Gelson dominated the nomination, with a total of 20.67% of the vote.