More than 5500 fans attend open session in Estádio José Alvalade

The Sporting Foundation took the lead in promoting a charity training session this Wednesday, with the professional football team being put through their paces in front of 5500 fans in Estádio José Alvalade. The fans responded in kind to the gesture, contributing 8000 presents for those most in need.

"Thank you for participating today, as part of the Sporting family. Happy holidays and a happy new year", said coach Jorge Jesus to the fans after the session.

Alvalade beach soccer legend, Madjer, was also in Alvalade. "We made a point of bringing a little something along today. Attitudes off the pitch are what make the difference", said the beach soccer skipper.

Tickets offered to Gamebox holders for CTT matchday 2

Friday (30th of December) will see Sporting host Varzim on CTT Cup matchday 2.

2016 was the new Estádio José Alvalade's best year, with an average of 43,281 fans attending 19 Liga NOS matches. A fantastic 87% of capacity!

The year will also be remembered for some other fantastic achievements:

OLYMPIC ATHLETES | Biggest ever participation, with 32 athletes in 9 sports in Rio de Janeiro

CLUB MEMBERS |more than 152,000, which is in the world top 5

SPECTATORS FOR A SINGLE MATCH | 50,046 for Real Madrid CF (new stadium record)

TRANSFERS | Sales of João Mário to Inter Milan for 45M€ (5M€ in objectives)

To thank the fans, especially those who bring life to Alvalade and are Gamebox holders, we are offering tickets for CTT Cup matchday 2 to Gamebox holders. All you need to do is collect your invitation from the club's official website or ticket offices. Tickets are also available for Club Members from 6€ and from 9€ for fans.

. Only Stand A will be open
. Children under the age of 3 are prohibited
. Children over the age of 3 (inclusive) require a ticket)
. Member Fee applicable: November 2016
. Gates open: 19h45

Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices will be open from 10h to 20h.

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. 

League Cup Group A matchday 2 tickets on sale

Tickets for League Cup Group A matchday 2, which will see Sporting CP host Varzim in the last match in Estádio José Alvalade in 2016, will be on sale from the 26th to the 29th of December from 10h00 to 20h00.

Tickets will also be available on matchday (30th of December) from 10h00 until half-time.

Kick-off is scheduled for 21h15 on Friday the 30th of December and this match is not included in Gamebox packages.

Tickers start from 3€ for Club Members with a Gamebox, 6€ for Club Members and 9€ for fans.

Shotstopper tallies 50 votes, bettered only by Neuer and Buffon

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics named Rui Patricio as the 3rd best Goalkeeper of the Year for 2016, in a vote announced this week.

The Euro 2016 winner received 50 points, beaten only by the goalkeeping legends Gianluigi Buffon (91) and Manuel Neuer (156).

Session open to all club members and fans

Sporting Clube de Portugal's professional football squad will hold an open-door training session in Estádio José Alvalade at 17h00 on Tuesday the 27th of December.

The session is open to all club members and fans, with presents also being given to the younger generations by the Sporting Foundation.

Gates will open at 16h00.

Jorge Jesus highlights his side's mature display against a determined Belenenses side

Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Jorge Jesus praised his side's patience in finally breaking a spirited Belenenses side with an added-time winner from Bas Dost.

"It was a difficult game when you look at the result. We didn't really give Belenenses the chance to attack for the first 40 minutes and we were really good when it came to positioning, but a goal was hard to come by. I told the lads that if we carried on playing like we were then we would score eventually", opened the Sporting CP coach, adding a word on the points gap at the top of Liga NOS: "We let Belenenses go forward a bit in the second-half. You can see the lads are a bit tired, largely due to playing 10 games in a month, but wins bring confidence. Obviously the quality of the lads isn't being questioned at all and we still feel the same pressure, win or lose."

Bas Dost strikes late to secure three points in Estádio do Restelo

A tireless away support pushed Sporting CP over the finish line in Estádio do Restelo this Thursday night, with Bas Dost netting from range deep into injury time after a brilliant cross floated across to the far post by Joel Campbell. Who better than the Dutch hitman to collect on the Costa Rican's pass, with Dost already having proved his credentials in front of goal with nine Liga NOS goals in 12 outings.

The goal was enjoyed both on and off the pitch, with William Carvalho even jumping up off the bench and running to join his colleagues to celebrate in front of the fans. The win was exactly what was needed, with Sporting CP coming into the evening on the back of three less positive results. Credit to Belenenses however, who put up a spirited display to deny Sporting CP right up until the death.

Sporting CP certainly tried to break the deadlock on several occasions (12 shots compared to Belenenses' 9), claiming 13 corners and holding down 58% of possession, however some disciplined defending from the hosts help chances to a minimum. Going forward, Belenense largely relied on counter-attacks and their was a real sense of justice as Bas Dost secured the result three minutes into stoppage time.

Squad list to face Os Belenenses on Liga NOS matchday 15

Jorge Jesus has released his squad list for Thursday's 21h00 encounter with Os Belenenses, in Estádio do Restelo:

34 – Beto Pimparel
26 – Azbe Jug
4 – Jefferson Moreira
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
19 – Douglas Teixeira
20 – Luc Castaignos
21 – João Pereira
22 – Elias Trindade
23 – Adrien Silva
28 – Bas Dost
31 – Marvin Zeegelaar
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

Information from Sporting CP's medical department

Sporting Clube de Portugal's medical department has released the following clinical information:

Rui Patrício: muscle strain in the left thigh

Lukas Spalvis: recovering from knee surgery

Ezquiel Schelotto: muscle injury in the right calf

Rúben Semedo: muscle injury in the right thigh