Rui Patriciu is the goalkeeper who is known to every fan of Portuguese football. However, on the world stage, the goalkeeper was able to gain fame. But first things first.
Childhood and youth
Rui Patriciu was born on February 15, 1988 in Marrakesh (a district of Leiria County). He was fond of football since childhood. But initially, interestingly, Rui tried himself as a striker. And pretty well coped with the tasks of the striker. Once he was noticed by representatives of Sporting from Lisbon. After which he was offered to enter the academy at this club. Naturally, young Patricio agreed.
Here in Sporting he defined 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 Maritimo. The Lisbon Club won that match with a minimum score. Although there could be a draw. But precisely due to the fact that Ruy repelled a penalty, the score remained 1-0. True, that season the young goalkeeper on the field no longer appeared.
Way to success
Perhaps if Ricardo Pereira had not gone to another club before the start of the new season, then Rui would have to wait in the wings for a long time. But the experienced goalkeeper moved to Real Betis, and Patriciu did not miss his chance, winning the competition in Stojkovic and Tiaga.
November 27, 2007 the young goalkeeper made his debut in the Champions League. But not entirely successful, as Rui Patriciu conceded two goals, because of which Sporting lost to Manchester United with a slippery 2-1. But then in that season, Sporting won the Portuguese Cup. The goalkeeper spent the season 28 games in 2007/08, and as a result he was recognized as the best young player in the bwin league. Not surprisingly, Milan Inter took interest in it in the summer. But the transfer, of course, did not take place. After all, as you know, Rui Patriciu, whose biography is very interesting, is true to his club. All his life he defends the colors of Sporting.
Falls and Ups
There were devastating defeats in the history of Sporting. And, as you know, when a team loses with a big score, most blame the goalkeeper. But the match with Bayern, held March 10, 2009 in the Champions League, just did not need comments. After all, then Rui missed seven (!) Goals. And the Munich team won with a score of 7: 1. The first meeting, in which Rui did not participate due to disqualification, also ended in favor of Bayern (5: 0).
But in the next season, the goalkeeper helped his team well. Sporting then played with Twente in the 2009/10 Champions League. What did Rui Patriciu do? Goals, as you know, the goalkeeper must not allow. In my own gate, of course. But on that day, in the last added minutes of the match, when Sporting lost with a minimum score, the goalkeeper saved the team and put the score in a draw. The Lisbon club was assigned a corner, and Rui hit the ball with his head so that he flew into the opponent’s goal. More precisely, Peter Wisgerhof, a player on the opposing team, “helped” him fly into the net. Thanks to this, 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 experienced goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand came to the team, Patriciu still remained in the goal.
Career Team
Rui played for all the age groups of his national team. For several years he was called up to the main team, but left on the bench. So the Portuguese debut took place only in 2010, November 17. Patriciu was replaced in the second half. Then his team played against Spain. Rui kept the goal “dry”, as a result of which Portugal won 4-0.
At the moment, he is the main goalkeeper of the team. Rui took part in the 2015 World Cup, in the European Championship both in 2012 and in 2016. And the national team, not without his help, won the “gold” this summer. Patriciu played very confidently, trying to keep the goal intact. In the group stage, he conceded only four goals. But in the end, Portugal won the Championship. And Rui was included in the symbolic team of the European Championship 2016.