Rui Patrício preparing to face off against the world's best

Still beaming after celebrating 10 years defending the Alvalade goal, Rui Patrício was the player chosen to accompany Jorge Jesus in the press room, ahead of Tuesday's hosting of Real Madrid.

"We want the final result to be different to what happened in the Santiago Bernabéu. We showed what we can do in Madrid and we are capable of doing it again tomorrow, but all we want is the win", said the Sporting CP shotstopper, going on to talk about the prospect of facing Cristiano Ronaldo: "He is the complete athlete. There is nothing I can say against him. We can score a million ways and we will have to focus a lot of him. Every single one of us will have to do our best and we will do everything we can to get the win."

Sporting shotstopper celebrates a decade in the Sporting CP senior team

It was exactly a decade ago today, on the 19th of December 2006, that Rui Patrício stepped in for the injured Ricardo and Tiago to make his senior team debut. It really was a special night for the Alvalade hero, as he pulled off a penalty save in the 75th minute to guarantee the three points for his team. Now, 387 matches later, Patrício is 6th overall in terms of most games played in a green and white shirt.

"I remember the win, because we won of course and because it was my starting debut. It is a special night for any player and we call dream of getting into the first team. Ten years ago I made by debut and I am still in the team. I am really proud of that and so are my friends and family that have always supported me", said Patrício in reflection on a decade of action. 

Patrício's teammates of course didn't let the day go by unnoticed:

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 keeper topping this year's top-30

Who should win the 2016 Ballon D'Or? According to Eurosport, Rui Patrício leads the way, ahead of a pack which includes Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez (Barcelona), and Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid).

If you also think Patrício should scoop the award, then vote here here.

You can also show your preference on the France Football website here.

Rui Patrício on his inclusion in the Ballon D'Or race

"Obviously any player would feel really proud and I am no exception. I will carry on working hard, because our objective is to keep improving and to win every title possible", said Patrício in an interview with Sporting TV after finding out about his nomination for the Ballon D'Or short list.

The Alvalade keeper also took the opportunity to look ahead to Liga NOS matchday 9: "Our last result wasn't what we wanted, but we we will go to Madeira for the win. It will be hard, like it always is in Madeira, but we are going there to get the win."

Alvalade shotstopper joins Portuguese contingent of Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo in final short list

France Football has announced the short list for the Ballon D'Or nomination this week, with Rui Patrício making the cut along with fellow Portugal stars Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fernando Santos names quad for matches with Andorra and Faroe Islands

Fernando Santos has named a squad of 24 for the coming matches against Andorra (7th of October) and the Faroe Islands (10th of October).

The big news is Gelson Martins first senior international call up, after the youngster's brilliant start to the season.

Local council president announces tribute paid by a fan

The president of the Leiria Municipal Council, Raul Castro, today confirmed that Rui Patrício a statute will be commissioned of Rui Patrício in March 2017, next to the city's sports park.

The idea came courtesy of the business man Carlos Matos and his brother Vítor, who had declared that they would see a statute built if Patrício won Euro 2016. "When I was watching the match I promised that I would make a statute of him if Portugal became European champion, but I didn't think it would actually happen! I lost the bet of course", explained Carlos Matos to Lusa.

The statute will be sculpted by Celestino Alves and will be the image of Patrício's save against Griezmann in the final.

President praises Adrien, Rui Patrício and William Carvalho

In a publication on his official Facebook page, Bruno de Carvalho showered Alvalade's captain's with praise, affirming that they "are the best in the world in their positions" and that is in honour to have them in Alvalade.

Portugal to face Gibraltar (friendly) and Switzerland (World Cup qualifier)

Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, Adrien and João Mário all feature in Fernando Santos' squad for two coming fixtures.

Portugal will take on Gibraltar next Thursday, before facing Switzerland on the 6th of September in a World Cup qualifier.

Goalkeepers

- Rui Patrício (Sporting CP)
- Anthony Lopes (Lyon)
- Eduardo (D. Zagreb)

Defenders

- João Cancelo (Valencia)
- Cédric (Southampton)
- Pepe (Real Madrid)
- Bruno Alves (Cagliari)
- José Fonte (Southampton)
- Luís Neto (Zenit)
- Raphael Guerreiro (B. Dortmund)
- Eliseu (Benfica)

Midfielders

- William Carvalho (Sporting CP)
- Danilo (FC Porto)
- João Moutinho (Monaco)
- Adrien (Sporting CP)
- André Gomes (Barcelona)
- João Mário (Sporting CP)
- Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)

Forwards

- Rafa Silva (Sp. Braga)
- Bernardo Silva (Monaco)
- Nani (Valencia)
- Quaresma (Besiktas)
- Éder (Lille)
- André Silva (FC Porto)