João Mário on Sporting's win in Estoril on Saturday night

For João Mário, Saturday's win against Estoril was the perfect remedy following recent results.

“It was a good response from us and we knew it was important to react tonight. We had an unlucky result last weekend, but we are still strong and we still believe in the work we are putting in", said the Sporting midfielder in a post-match interview, adding: "We didn't kill the game off and I missed a chance as well. Estoril got a goal back, but I think we dominated and it is a good three points for us. The most important thing is that we do our job. That is all we can do and we will see what happens."

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.

William Carvalho and João Mário at the final whistle after Thursday's loss to Leverkusen

Sporting's midfield pairing of João Mário and William Carvalho took a moment to speak with radio journalists after Thursday's 3-1 Europa League loss to Bayer Leverkusen this Thursday night.

“We were not effective enough after we scored. We had chances to get ahead, but we didn't and that cost us", explained João Mário, preferring to move his focus onto Sporting's Liga NOS campaign: "We felt like we could get past this tie, but we didn't and now we will concentrate on the league."

William Carvalho also set his sights on the domestic campaign. "All we have to do is concentrate on the league now. We have said since the start of the season that our main focus is that and now we will get ready for Monday in Guimarães", affirmed the Portuguese international, finishing with his analysis of the evening's encounter: “They (Bayer Leverkusen) were more effective than us. We had our chances, but we didn't convert on them while they did."

Alvalade midfielder scoops award from Players Syndicate

João Mário has been named as the Liga NOS Young Player of the Month for January, in voting by te Professional Football Players Syndicate.

The Alvalade midfielder tallied 16.25% of the vote, ahead of Renato Sanches (Benfica, 14.14%) and André Moreira (U. Madeira, 10,84%).

João Mário on his side's 3-1 win against Paços de Ferreira

João Mário came off the bench to put in a solid second-half in his side's 3-1 League Cup win this Tuesday.

“We started well and we scored, but we let in a goal before the break. In the second-half we took the lead again and we could have won by more, but we were a bit sloppy in front of goal. It was a good win in a competition that we want to do well in", said the Portuguese international at the final whistle.

João Mário reacts to his side's Portuguese Cup derby win

João Mário put in a brilliant performance in his side's 2-1 Portuguese Cup win over Benfica on Saturday night.

“It was a really hard game and I think this was the first time we have come from behind. We reacted well and turned the result around. Benfica did well but I really want to speak about our team, because this was our third win against our main rival. Now we have to focus on keeping this up", said the midfielder at the final whistle, continuing: "We are feeling confident of course, but you only beat a team like Benfica with hard work. We prepared well and we believe in the work we are doing. We were the better side for the whole game."

Rui Patrício, William Carvalho and João Mário in Portuguese squad

João Mário, William Carvalho and Rui Patrício all feature in the Portuguese squad announced by Fernando Santos this Friday, for two friendlies against Russia (14 of November in Krasnodar) and Luxemburg (17th of November, in Luxemburg).

Squad list in full: Rui Patrício, Anthony Lopes, Eduardo; Cédric, Vieirinha, Pepe, Bruno Alves, José Fonte, Neto, Eliseu, Raphael Guerreiro; William, Danilo, João Moutinho, João Mário, André Gomes, André André; Bernardo Silva, Nani, Lucas João, Nélson Oliveira, Gonçado Guedes and Ricardo.

Matheus Pereira and João Mário after 3-0 loss in Albania

Matheus Pereira again featured in Jorge Jesus' side this Thursday, in a 3-0 loss to Skënderbeu. Speaking at the final whistle, the Brazilian accepted that his side made mistakes, but affirmed that Sporting can still qualify for the knock-out stages: "We didn't start well. Skënderbeu made the most of that and they defended well. We had chances, but we let in two goals from counter-attacks."

João Mário, who made his Europa League debut after a three-match suspension, also spoke to the press at the final whistle: "We made some mistakes in the first-half which dictated the rest of the game, but it is still down to us to get into the next stage."

João Mário back in contention after suspension

João Mário is back in Jorge Jesus' options for this Thursday's encounter against Skënderbeu, after serving a 3 match suspension following a red card against CSKA Moscow in the Russian capital.

Speaking about his first match in the Europa League, João Mário proved with the chance to contribute: "I really want to play and I don't mind if it is on the right or in the middle."

The Alvalade younger went on to affirm that his side is execting a tough encounter, but guaranteed that Sporting are up to the challenge: "Away games are always complicated, but we all know what we can do and the quality we have", said João Mário, before finishing on squad rotation: "No matter who plays, everyone will do their best to help the team."

Sporting will take on Skenderbëu this Thursday in Albania, in Europa League Group H.

National squad to face Denmark and Serbia

National coach Fernando Santos has included two Sporting players in his squad for the encounters with Denmark and Serbia, on the 8th and 11th of October respectively.

Rui Patrício and João Mário are the Alvalade duo who will feature, in a squad comprised of 24: Anthony Lopes, Rui Patrício, Ventura; Cédric, Nélson Semedo, Bruno Alves, José Fonte, Luís Neto, Ricardo Carvalho, Eliseu, Fábio Coentrão; Danilo, Miguel Veloso, Tiago, André André, João Moutinho, João Mário; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny, Nani, Rafa, Éder and Ricardo Quaresma.

Portugal will host Denmark on the 8th of October at 20h45 in The Braga Municipal Stadium, before travelling to Serbia for a 18h00 (local time) kick off on the 11th.