Rui Patriciu: career ups and downs of the famous Portuguese goalkeeper

Rui Patriciu is a goalkeeper known to every fan of Portuguese football. However, on the world stage the goalkeeper was able to win fame. But first things first.

Childhood and youth

Rui Patriciu was born on February 15, 1988 in Marrazes (district of Leiria County). He was fond of football since childhood. But initially, interestingly, Rui tried himself as an attacker. And pretty well coped with the tasks of the striker. Once it was noticed by the representatives of Sporting from Lisbon. Then he was offered to enter the academy at this club. Naturally, the young Patricio agreed.

Here in "Sporting" he determined himself as a goalkeeper. Five years (from 2001 to 2006), Rui Patriciu played for the youth squad. Until November 19, 2006. Then his debut took place. "Sporting" played with "Maritim". Lisbon club won that match with a minimum score. Although there could be a draw. But it was due to the fact that Rui deflected a penalty, the score was 1-0. True, in that season the young goalkeeper on the field no longer appeared.

Way to success

Perhaps, if Ricardo Pereira did not leave before another season for another club, Rui would have to wait his time for a long time. But the experienced goalkeeper moved to Real Betis, and Patriciu did not miss his chance, having won the competition in Stojkovic and Tiago.

On November 27, 2007, the young goalkeeper made his debut in the Champions League. But not entirely successful, as Rui Patriciu missed two goals, because of what Sporting lost to Manchester United with a slippery score 2: 1. But in that season, "Sporting" won the Cup of Portugal. The goalkeeper spent 28 games in the 2007/08 season and was named the best young player in the bwin league. It is not surprising that in the summer he became interested in Milan "Inter". But the transfer, of course, did not take place. As you know, Rui Patriciu, whose biography is very interesting, is loyal to his club. All his life he defends the colors of Sporting.

Falls and take-offs

There were devastating defeats in the history of Sporting. And, as is known, when the team loses with a large score, most blame the goalkeeper. But the match with the "Bavaria", held on March 10, 2009 in the Champions League, just did not need comments. After all, then Rui missed seven (!) Balls. And the Munich team won with a score of 7: 1. The first meeting, in which Rui was not involved because of the disqualification, ended well in favor of "Bavaria" (5: 0).

But in the next season the goalkeeper did a good job helping his team. "Sporting" then played with "Twente" in the Champions League 2009/10. What did Rui Patricius do? Goals, as you know, goalkeeper should not allow. In your own gate, of course. But that day, at the last minutes added match, when "Sporting" lost with a minimum score, the goalkeeper saved the team, and brought the score to a draw. Lisbon club was appointed corner, and Rui so hit the ball with his head that he flew into the opponent's goal. More precisely, Peter Wisgerhof, player of the opposing team, "helped" him to fly into the net. It was thanks to this that Sporting went further.

But in general, the season for the team and the goalkeeper was unsuccessful. Rui missed 55 goals in 51 games. But, despite this fact, and the fact that the team came to the experienced goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand, Patricius still remained at the gate.

Career in the national team

Rui played for all age groups of his national team. For several years he was called into the main team, but left on the bench. So, the debut of the Portuguese took place only in 2010, on November 17. Patricio was released in the second half. Then his team played against Spain. Rui kept the gate "dry", resulting in Portugal won with a score of 4: 0.

At the moment he is the main goalkeeper of the national team. Rui took part in the World Cup 2015, in the European Championships in both 2012 and 2016. And the team did not without his help win "gold" this summer. Patricio played very confidently, trying to keep the gate untouched. In the group stage, he missed only four goals. But in the end Portugal won the Championship. And Rui was included in the symbolic team of the European Championship-2016.