João Mário on his domestic season and the coming international campaign

Currently away with Fernado Santos' Portuguese squad in preparation for Euro 2016, João Mário sat down the press this Wednesday to reflect on the domestic season and his country's chances come this June.

"It was my best season, but of course I still have to improve. We do what we can to prove ourselves with our clubs and it is down to the national coach to pick the squad after that. We have three friendlies before the Euro stars and I want to do well in those matches", opened João Mário, reflecting on the duty handed to him by Jorge Jesus throughout the season: "This season was the first time I had ever played in 4x4x2. I played in various positions and of course that made it a bit tricker, but how the team is playing is more important than how you are on paper. What matters is how the players gel together and how they take on board the coach's ideas."

The Alvalade midfielder could get his chance as part of a midfield trio with fellow Sporting stars Drien and William Carvalho. "We are used to playing together and if the coach thinks it could be a good idea them we can in the national team, but there are some really good players in the squad", added João Mário, finishing with a word on the possibility of featuring in Portugal's Olympic Team in Rio de Janeiro: "Of course I have always thought about going to the Olympics, but it is up to Sporting and not be to decide."

Teo Gutiérrez on Sporting's season before heading to Colombia

Bruno de Carvalho on the coming transfer window

Speaking at the University of Evora on Friday, Bruno de Carvalho affirmed that Sporting will not be overly active in the coming transfer market and will instead focus on maintaining a stable squad.

“This will not be a very interesting transfer market for the press when it comes to Sporting. Players who are really important for us will not be leaving for less than their buy-out clause. We have everything needed to win the league next season and we deserve to be. It was an emotional season with our fans and we still haven't won the league, but everyone realizes it is close", affirmed the Alvalade president.

Bruno de Carvalho sits down the the press to close the last training session of the season

Of course present for Sporting's last training session of the season this week, Bruno de Carvalho took a moment with Sporting TV at the end of the day's work to reflect on the campaign.

"We had a reason full of highs. the players trained today as if it was the first day of the season. We didn't reach our objective, but we are really proud of what we did. Unfortunately we didn't finish in first, but we would do it all again right now, no problem at all," affirmed the Alvalade president, adding: "The fans were magnificent and all I can do is say thank you. The way we were supported in Alvalade after getting back from Braga was mutual recognition between the players and the fans. There is no point speculating now and all we want to do is get back to work."

Bruno de Carvalho finished with a promising look to the future: "Sporting is back, we are solid and focused. We did out job and we didn't let the pressure get to us. We are all really proud of what we achieve this season."

Ricardo Esgaio renews until 2022

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with the athlete Ricardo Esgaio for the renewal of his contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Ricardo Esgaio the best of professional and personal success.

Statement regarding Iuri Medeiros

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement for the renewal of Iuri Medeiros' contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Iuri Madeiros the best of professional and personal success.

Octávio Machado on the lack of punishment for Benfica

Octávio Machado gave a hard-hitting press conference following Sunday's Liga NOS fixtures, in what were the last of the season.

"Penalties are only against Benfica after the 95th minute, when they are already winning 5-0. It happened in the first match against Estoril when it was 0-0 and it happened again today, against Nacional. In the last match of the season, the decisive match, another penalty was not given when the game was 0-0", said Sporting's director of football.

Jorge Jesus proud of his team as Liga NOS campaign comes to a close with 4-0 win in Braga

Jorge Jesus paid a fitting tribute to his team and the fans in his post-match interview this Saturday, after watching Sporting dismantle Braga on the last game of a season taken right down to the wire.

"We did what we had to do throughout the season. It was a real show of the power and quality of this squad. We had to win and that is exactly what we did. It is never easy here, especially to win 4-0", opened Jesus, adding: "The best doesn't always win. The best was Sporting."

The Alvalade boss of course could not close the season without a word for the fans: "They supported us right up until the last second. It isn't natural for a team to win 86 points and not be champion."

Jorge Jesus includes entire squad for Liga NOS climax

Coach Jorge Jesus has named all available 27 players to form his squad for this Sunday's visit to Braga, on Liga NOS matchday 34:

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: Schelotto, Naldo, João Pereira, Jefferson, Ewerton, Ricardo Esgaio, Sebastián Coates, Paulo Oliveira, Ruben Semedo, Tobias Figueiredo and Marvin Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William Carvalho, Alberto Aquilani, Adrien Silva, André Martins, João Mário, Bruno Paulista and Bruno César

Forwards: Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Teo Gutiérrez, Hernán Barcos and Slimani

Sp. Braga-Sporting CP will kick- off at 17h00 on Sunday the 15th of May, in the Braga Municipal Stadium.

Alvalade midfielder scoops Players' Syndicate award

João Mário was named as the Professional Football Players' Syndicate Young Player of the Month for April this week, tallying 18.36% of votes cast to finish ahead of Diogo Jota (Paços de Ferreira) with 12.98% and Renato Sanches (Benfica) with 10.79%.

The results are based on the vote of members of the Players' Syndicate, as well as journalists from A Bola, O Jogo and Record newspapers.

It was actually João Mário's second award in two days, after winning the Player of the Month award attributed by Liga NOS coaches and fans through Samsung's official website.