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.

Alvalade boss on Fernando Santos' nomination as 2016 National Coach of the Year

Sporting CP boss Jorge Jesus personally issued his congratulations to Fernando Santos this Tuesday for the Portuguese coach's nomination as National Coach of the Year 2016 by the International Federation of Football History.

"I want to congratulate Fernando Santos for his nomination as National Coach of the Year 2016 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. It is more than deserved, it is fair and it proves what I have been saying for years: Portuguese coaches are the best in the world", said Jesus.

Fernando Santos was actually Sporting CP's coach for the 2003/2004 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.

Bruno de Carvalho on the 10 Sporting Academy graduates in Portugal's Euro winning side

Writing in an opinion article Jornal de Notícias this week, President Bruno de Carvalho reflected on Sporting's contribution to Portugal's Euro 2016 squad.

“In Paris the national team wrote the most brilliant page in its history and we should all look at what they did as an example", opened the Alvalade chief, adding the inevitable word on Sporting's contribution to the squad: "It was Cristiano Ronaldo's drive, the safety given by Rui Patrício, the speed of Cédric, the calm of José Fonte, the stability of William, the dedication of Adrien, the balance of João Moutinho, the intelligence of João Mário, the virtue of Nani and the irreverence of Quaresma, together with the solidity of Pepe, the depth of Raphael Guerreiro, the suddenness of Renato and the inspiration of Éder that led to us hearing our national anthem in the end."

After finishing 3rd with the Magriços, reaching the semi-finals with the Patrícios and the final in Lisbon in 2004, the Aurélios lift the trophy in Paris.

Sporting shotstopper claims UEFA nomination after stunning final display

Sporting and Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patrício has been named by UEFA as the Euro 2016 Goalkeeper of the Tournament. The choice was made using a special algorithm developed for monitoring performance and official statistics.

The award actually comes as no surprise, after Patrício's penalty save against Poland in the semi-finals and a string of brilliant saves against France on Sunday night.

RUI PEDRO DOS SANTOS PATRÍCIO

Goalkeeper, 28 years old

Arrived at Sporting CP aged 11

Youth titles: National under-19, under-17 (2) and under-15 champion

Sporting B appearances: 0

Sporting A appearances: 373

Senior Titles: 2 Portuguese Cups (2008 and 2015), 2 Super Cups (2008 and 2015) and one European Championship (2016)

11 million celebrate a title years in the making at the Sporting Academy

The Portuguese national team won Euro 2016 this Sunday afternoon, beating France on home soil in a game that brought back memories of the loss in the final in Portugal against Greece 12 years ago.

The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, guaranteed at the end of the match that tomorrow the 23 heroes would be received into the country's Order of Merit with the highest distinction, recognising: "acts or services worthy of merit, undertaken in any public or private role, or which show abnegation in favour of the collective."

To all of the players, technical and medical staff, football federations and everybody who is part of the national team: thank you.

Bruno de Carvalho in radio interview with TSF on Portugal's Euro 2016 campaign

Sporting's mention in the conversation about the origins of current Portuguese national side if unavoidable. Speaking with TSF about the nation's run to the Euro 2016 final, which has no fewer than 10 players in the squad which were produced by the club's youth system, Bruno de Carvalho highlighted the importance of Alvalade in every age group.

“I have believed we would do well from the start. We didn't get off to a brilliant start, but football can be like that. It is in moments like that where we see a person's true character and the talent of the team. I prepared everything to go to the final on the 11th of July and I will be there", opened the Sporting president, adding: "As a Portuguese, I am really happy for the entire squad. as the president of Sporting Clube de Portugal, although I look at the national team as a whole, I have to mention that the under-21 team reached the final with a team of 11 players that had 8 from Sporting. On the 11th of July 2016, we had 10 players in the senior squad, which means we have contributed a total of 18 players. There is no comparison to that."

Rui Patrício, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho and João Mário have been near permanent features in the team and Bruno de Carvalho couldn't be prouder: "When you have players of that quality, it is normal. We were prepared for this. Of course this opens us up to bids for players, but we want them with us. The lads deserve this for the work they have put in and I am sure it is something they have wanted for a long time. I don't mind who we play against to be honest. Both teams are really strong and Portugal will have to show collective quality."

Spanish newspaper runs piece on Alvalade keeper

The Monday edition of Marca ran a piece on Sporting shotstopper Rui Patrício this week, highlighting his role in Portugal's run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals and his fantastic penalty stop against Poland.

"The secret to Patrício is work and more work. He is a humble guy and that is what makes him keep getting better. One-on-one, he is the best in the world", reads the article adding to fellow Portuguese star's Danilo affirmation of Patrício being "better than Neuer".

Sporting has long been known for his brilliance defending from 12-yards, having made a stop on his debut against Marítimo. He repeated the trick in the 2008 Super Cup final, as well as against Jackson Martínez in a 3-1 win and in the final of the Portuguese Cup in Jamor in 2015.

Patrício has also saved penalties in the European scene, having denied Cleiton in a match against Metalist, as well as Doumbia in the Champions League play-offs. In total he has stopped 13 penalties so far in his Sporting career.