Fernando Santos names squad for Belgium and Bulgaria friendlies

Sporting CP dominate Fernando Santos' squad for two friendlies against Belgium and Bulgaria, in a squad list issued this week.

Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva and João Mário will all feature against Bulgaria on the 25th of March in Leiria, before the Portuguese take on Belgium on the 29th of March in Brussels.

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dynamo Zagreb) and Rui Patrício (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Cédric and José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco) and Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva, João Mário and William Carvalho (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valência), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto) and Renato Sanches (Benfica)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit), Éder (Lille), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Rafa (SC Braga) and Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)

Rui Patrício on Saturday's loss to Benfica

Speaking with the press at the final whistle on Saturday night, Rui Patrício put his side's loss down to a lack of effectiveness in front of goal.

"Benfica scored from the only chance they had, but football can be like that. I think we played really well and we had a lot of chances that we didn't make the most of. That was the only difference", commented the Alvalade keeper at the final whistle, before guaranteeing that the league is still far from decided: "There are still a lot of games to play. We will fight to the end and this result honesty doesn't' change anything."

Sporting CP statement regarding Rui Patrício's contract renewal

Sporting SAD has reached an agreement with the athlete Rui Patrício for the renewal of his contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Rui Patrício the best of professional and personal success.

Speaking for the first time after penning the new deal, the Alvalade shotstopper proved ecstatic with the prospect of an extended stay at Sporting: "Sporting is my second home. I have been here now for longer than I lived at my parents' house! I feel a lof for this club and this club has helped me grow as a player and a personal. I owe everything I am today to Sporting."

Patrício, Paulo Oliveira, Jonathan, Adrien and João Mário all named in top 500

A total of five Alvalade stars feature in this year's World Soccer 500, ranking the 500 most important football players on the planet.

Goalkeeper Rui Patrício, defenders Paulo Oliveira and Jonathan Silva and midfielders Adrien and João Mário are the five named.