Rui Patrício

1.1. Youth development and Sporting CP breakthrough

Patrício made his professional debut for Sporting CP at the age of 18 on 19 November 2006, in a 1 0 away victory against C.S. Marítimo in the Primeira Liga. Filling in for the regular first-choice goalkeeper Ricardo, Patrício made a significant impact by saving a penalty kick just 15 minutes before the end of the game, helping his team secure a clean sheet.

Following Ricardo's departure to Real Betis in the 2007-08 season, Patrício competed against seasoned Sporting veteran Tiago and new signing Vladimir Stojković to establish himself as the undisputed starter. He successfully claimed the position, making 20 league appearances that season. His UEFA Champions League debut came on 27 November 2007, in a 1 2 group stage loss against Manchester United.

In the 2008 off-season, there were rumors of a potential transfer to Italian giants Inter Milan, then managed by compatriot José Mourinho, but the move did not materialize. Patrício continued to prove his worth at Sporting. In the 2008 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, he played a pivotal role in a 2 0 victory over FC Porto, notably saving a penalty from Lucho González. He remained an ever-present fixture in the league during the 2008-09 season.

A memorable moment occurred during the qualifying rounds of the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League. In the 94th minute of the second leg against FC Twente, with Sporting trailing 0 1 after a goalless first leg, Patrício ventured forward for a corner kick. His header, in a scramble with Nikita Rukavytsya, ultimately led to an own goal via Peter Wisgerhof, securing Sporting's qualification for the final pre-group stage games.

His consistent performances were recognized within the club, as he was awarded Sporting's Footballer of the Year award for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012. On 18 October 2014, he further cemented his reputation by saving a penalty from Jackson Martínez in a match against FC Porto, contributing to a 3 1 victory in the Taça de Portugal that eliminated Porto from the competition.

In 2016, Patrício was one of 30 players nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, alongside national teammates Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo. On 18 February 2017, he reached a significant milestone, playing his 400th competitive game for Sporting CP. He marked the occasion with a Player of the match performance in a 1 0 home win against Rio Ave.

However, his long tenure at Sporting was not without turmoil. On 15 May 2018, Patrício and several teammates, along with coaches, were subjected to a violent attack by approximately 50 supporters at the club's training ground. This incident occurred after the team finished third in the 2017-18 Primeira Liga, missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification. Despite the trauma, Patrício and the team agreed to play in the 2018 Taça de Portugal Final the following weekend, which they ultimately lost 2 1 to C.D. Aves.

His departure from Sporting was controversial. On 1 June 2018, Patrício formally requested the termination of his contract with just cause, citing the dressing room violence and the collapse of a potential €18.00 M EUR transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers due to Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho pulling out of negotiations at the last minute. Patrício accumulated 467 official appearances for Sporting CP over 12 years, making him the club's second-highest appearance maker, only behind Hilário da Conceição.

2.1. Sporting CP

Rui Patrício dedicated 12 years of his professional career to Sporting CP, where he evolved from a youth prospect into a club legend. He became an undisputed starter early in his career, making a total of 467 official appearances, a testament to his longevity and consistency with the club. During his extensive tenure, he won five major trophies, including three Taça de Portugal titles, one Taça da Liga, and three Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira titles. His time at Sporting was also marked by personal accolades and significant on-field moments, though it concluded amidst a challenging incident involving fan violence.

2.2. Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 18 June 2018, following the tumultuous events at Sporting CP, Rui Patrício completed his move to newly promoted Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, signing a four-year deal. The transfer was officially settled on 31 October, with both clubs agreeing to a €18.00 M EUR deal for his departure to England.

Upon joining Wolves, Patrício chose to wear the number 11 shirt, a departure from the traditional number 1 often worn by goalkeepers. This decision was made to honor former Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who had recently retired following treatment for acute leukaemia. He made his Premier League debut on 11 August 2018, in a 2 2 home draw against Everton.

In his first season with Wolverhampton Wanderers (2018-19), Patrício demonstrated his exceptional goalkeeping skills by keeping nine clean sheets, a new club record in the Premier League. His strong performances contributed significantly to the team finishing in an impressive seventh place, which secured qualification for the UEFA Europa League. In the subsequent 2019-20 season, Patrício further improved his record, achieving 13 clean sheets and conceding fewer goals (40 compared to 46 in the previous season). On the European stage, he played a crucial role in guiding Wolves to their first continental quarter-final since 1972. On 19 February 2021, he marked another career milestone by playing his 100th Premier League match in a 1 0 victory over Leeds United.

2.3. Roma

On 13 July 2021, Rui Patrício made a move to Italian club AS Roma, signing a three-year deal. The transfer fee for his move to Roma was €11.50 M EUR. He made his debut for the club on 19 August under the management of his compatriot José Mourinho, in a 2 1 away win against Trabzonspor during the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs. Three days later, he made his first appearance in Serie A, in a 3 1 home victory against Fiorentina.

During the 2021-22 season, Patrício was a consistent presence for Roma, being one of only seven players to feature in every game of the season. He was notably the only goalkeeper, alongside Guglielmo Vicario of Empoli FC, to play every minute of the Serie A campaign. His most significant achievement with Roma came in his first season as he played all but one of the fifteen fixtures in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, contributing to the team's victory in the final with a 1 0 win over Feyenoord in Tirana.

Patrício's contract with Roma expired on 30 June 2024, leading to his departure from the club. Towards the end of his tenure, particularly during the 2023-24 season, he saw his starting position diminish under the new management of Daniele De Rossi, with Mile Svilar becoming the preferred choice.

2.4. Atalanta

On 27 August 2024, Rui Patrício joined fellow Italian club Atalanta as a free agent, signing a one-year deal. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for the club, wearing the number 28 shirt.

3.1. Youth national teams and senior debut

Patrício began his international journey representing Portugal at various youth levels. He played for the U-16 team from 2003 to 2004, the U-17 team from 2004 to 2005, the U-18 team from 2005 to 2006, the U-19 team from 2006 to 2007, and the U-20 team from 2007 to 2008. He also made appearances for the Portuguese U-21 side from 2007 to 2010.

His first call-up to the senior national team came on 29 January 2008, when coach Luiz Felipe Scolari selected him for a friendly match against Italy in Zürich, which ended in a 1 3 defeat. Although he did not make an appearance in that match, he was subsequently included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2008 as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Ricardo Pereira and Nuno Espírito Santo, though he did not play in the tournament.

Despite not being part of the provisional 24-player list for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Patrício was named in a backup list of six players. He eventually made his senior international debut on 17 November 2010, playing the second half of a 4 0 friendly win against Spain, then the reigning World Cup champions, where he managed to keep a clean sheet. Under national team boss Paulo Bento, Patrício gradually earned more opportunities and became the starter after Eduardo was relegated to the bench at his club, S.L. Benfica.

3.2. Major tournaments and national team milestones

Patrício was the starting goalkeeper for Portugal during the UEFA Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine. He conceded four goals in five matches as Portugal reached the semi-finals before being eliminated. He was again the first-choice goalkeeper in Paulo Bento's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. His debut in the World Cup came in the opening match against Germany, which Portugal lost 0 4. He missed the second group stage game against the United States due to an injury.

A pivotal moment in his international career came during UEFA Euro 2016. On 30 June 2016, Patrício earned his 50th international cap in a quarter-final match against Poland. Following a 1 1 draw after 120 minutes, he crucially saved Jakub Błaszczykowski's penalty in the shootout, securing a 5 3 victory that sent Portugal to the semi-finals. He delivered a solid display in the final against France, contributing significantly to Portugal's historic 1 0 victory and their first major international title.

Patrício was also included in the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and continued to play as a regular. On 17 November 2018, he had the honor of captaining the national side for the first time in a goalless draw against Italy in the UEFA Nations League. In 2019, as Portugal defeated the Netherlands in the 2019 UEFA Nations League Final at home, Patrício earned his 81st cap, surpassing Vítor Baía to become the nation's most capped goalkeeper.

He maintained his position as the starting goalkeeper at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 (held in 2021). On 12 October 2021, Patrício reached a remarkable milestone of 100 caps for Portugal in a 5 0 World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg. This achievement made him the seventh Portuguese player and the first goalkeeper from his country to reach the century mark.

Despite his long-standing role, in March 2022, Patrício was replaced by Diogo Costa for the World Cup playoffs. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, Costa played all five matches, with Patrício serving as the substitute goalkeeper, as Portugal reached the quarter-finals.

5.1. Club statistics

5.2. International statistics

6.1. Club honours

• Sporting CP
  • Taça de Portugal: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2014-15
  • Taça da Liga: 2017-18
  • Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2007, 2008, 2015
• Roma
  • UEFA Europa Conference League: 2021-22

6.2. International honours

• Portugal
  • UEFA European Championship: 2016
  • UEFA Nations League: 2018-19

6.3. Individual honours

• SJPF Young Player of the Month: January 2008, April 2009, November 2010, March 2011, April 2011
• SJPF Player of the Month: April 2011
• Sporting CP Footballer of the Year: 2011, 2012
• LPFP Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Year: 2011-12, 2015-16
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016
• O Jogo Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2017
• SJPF Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2017
• UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2017-18
• UEFA Europa Conference League Team of the Season: 2021-22

6.4. Orders and special recognition

Rui Patrício has received national recognition for his contributions.

He was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of Merit by the Portuguese government.