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 keeper's Euro 2016 heroics immortalised

Leiria paid a moving tribute to Rui Patrício this week, unveiling a statue in tribute to one of the city's heroes. The moment forever captured is Patricío's Euro 2016 in Paris against Griezmann, crafted into a statue standing six metres tall and weighing in at four tonnes.

The statue is courtesy of the Portuguese businessman Carlos Matos, who declared during the final: "If Rui doesn't let in a single goal, I will make him a statue." Patrício was visibly moved by the tribute, affirming: "Leiria is with me when I am on the pitch. I represent my city and I try to do my best for them. I am really happy. I want this to serve as an example for young people who want to reach the top of whatever area they go into. Fight for your dreams, because it is with it."

Rui Patrício donates Euro 2016 shirt to the Sporting Museum

Rui Patrício was at the Sporting Museum this week to offer his Euro 2016 winning shirt for safekeeping. "I am really proud to offer my shirt to Sporting CP and the Sporting Museum. It means a lot, because I used it in the first game of Euro 2016. This shirt has a lot of history and it being here for everyone to see means a lot", said the Alvalade shotstopper.

Portugal beats Hungary to keep up the pressure on Switzerland

The national football team continued in strong form in their World Cup 2018 qualification campaign this weekend, beating Hungary 3-0 in Estádio da Luz.

Rui Patrício and William Carvalho were in the starting line-up as usual and the Sporting CP keeper had a quiet night, making just a single stop in a dominating Portuguese showing.

Sporting CP's youth system of course dominated the squad, with six out of a total of 14 players featuring produced by the Sporting Academy: Cédric, José Fonte, João Mário, Ricardo Quaresma, João Moutinho, Rui Patrício and William Carvalho.

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)

Rui Patrício makes 400th senior apperance with brilliant display

He was the star of the show, making his 400th appearance and putting in one of his finest performances in the process.

"We all went out to get the win and that is what matters most. That is what we want to do in every game and that is how this club is. I had to do a lot tonight, but that is part of the game and we all do our best. The best way to celebrate was with the win", said Rui Patrício at the final whistle on Saturday night.

Information from the Sporting CP medical department

Sporting CP's medical department has released the following clinical update:

Shotstopper tallies 50 votes, bettered only by Neuer and Buffon

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics named Rui Patricio as the 3rd best Goalkeeper of the Year for 2016, in a vote announced this week.

The Euro 2016 winner received 50 points, beaten only by the goalkeeping legends Gianluigi Buffon (91) and Manuel Neuer (156).

Information from Sporting CP's medical department

Sporting Clube de Portugal's medical department has released the following clinical information:

Rui Patrício: muscle strain in the left thigh

Lukas Spalvis: recovering from knee surgery

Ezquiel Schelotto: muscle injury in the right calf

Rúben Semedo: muscle injury in the right thigh

France Football awards Cristiano Ronaldo a 4th Ballon d'Or

The Alvalade shotstopper Rui Patrício was named as the world's 12th best player this week by France Football.

The Portuguese international, who was also named as the Euro 2016 Goalkeeper of the Tournament, tallied a total of 6 points and finished ahead of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba, Robert Lewandowski, Dimitri Payet, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the overall winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or, with the Alvalade prodigy winning the award for a 4th time.