Soccer is arguably one of the sports that keep Portugal citizens engaged. Moreover, if we could look closely, we would notice that most of today’s best soccer players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were groomed at Portugal soccer teams.
Well, although Portuguese teams barely make it to the top Europe competition, the Champions League, some of them are still regarded as best based on the level of the competition they are found in.
However, I will be walking you through the best soccer teams in Portugal that you need to know. So, without further ado, let us proceed –
Portuguese First Division
First and foremost, Portugal’s first division, known as Primeira Liga, is the top level of the Portuguese football league system.
Having been established in 1934, more than 75 teams have competed in the Primeira Liga which occupies only 18 teams per season, and the 18 teams per season rule kicked off in the 2014 – 2015 competition.
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Moreover, of all these 75 teams that have competed in the Primeira Liga, only five teams have been able to get their hands on the Primeira Liga title which are Benfica(34), Porto(30), Sporting CP(10), Belenenses(1), and Boavista(1).
On the other hand, The Portuguese league, Primeira Liga has earned it recognized as the sixth-best league in Europe due to consistency.
Best Soccer Teams In Portugal
1. Benfica
The most rated and supported Portuguese team in the Primeira Liga is Benefica. In recent years, Benfica has emerged as one of the big three clubs in the Primeira.
The club also known as SLB was founded in 1904, and it is also nicknamed, The Eagles, due to an Eagle being their mascot. Well, Benfica’s home ground is at Estadio da Luz.
In addition, Benfica has won more trophies in Portugal with more than 90 wins and was voted 12th in FIFA Club of the Century and ranked 9th in the IFFHS Top 200 European clubs of the 20th century.
2. Porto
FC Porto which is also known as Dragons is one of the oldest clubs in the Primeira Liga. The club was founded in 1893 in the city of Porto.
Well, since 2003, FC Porto has played most of their home games at Estádio do Dragão. However, on the other hand, Porto is the second most decorated team in the Primeira Liga with 83 trophies.
In addition, Porto is the only Portuguese club to have won the UEFA Cup/Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup.
3. Sporting
Sporting Lisbon also known as the Lions is one of the big three clubs in Portuguese football and was founded in 1906. Sporting’s home ground is in Estádio José Alvalade which was built in 2003.
Sporting has won 54 trophies as a Portuguese club, with only Benfica and FC Porto being the only Portuguese club to win more trophies than them.
The club also participate in UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and the Europa League. Well, in the Europa League, the club has been ranked as the second-best in the all-time club ranking.
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Other Soccer Teams In Portugal
1. Braga
When it comes to going head-to-head with the big three Portuguese teams, Brag is best known for that. Bragg was founded in 1921 by a group of students and has won the Taca de Portugal three times.
2. Arouca
Arouca was founded as an FC Porto subsidiary in 1951 and the club hold their home games at Estádio Municipal de Arouca in Portugal.
3. Boavista
Boavista was founded in 1903, emerging from Porto is one of the oldest teams in Portugal that won the Primeira Liga in 2000.
4. Casa Pia
Casa Pia which was founded in 1920 is a Portuguese team that is named after Casa Pia, a children’s charity. And also, its stadium is named after Pina Manique, the owner of the charity.
5. Chaves
Another Portuguese team that deserves your recognition is Chaves. The club was founded in 1949 and plays their home games at Estádio Municipal de Chaves. Moreover, Chaves has made it into the first division 13 times.
6. Famalicao
The establishment of Famalicao came through 6 friends in 1931 and the club’s name is recognized as FC Famalicao. The club represents a town in the district of Braga, Vila Nova de Famalicao.
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7. Estoril
Estoril is a Portuguese football team from Estoril, Cascais, and is also regarded as Estoril Praia. For their home games, the club holds them at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota.
8. Marítimo
Marítimo Stadium is located in Funchal with over 25,000 fans worldwide. Moreover, Mariítimo is the largest Portuguese football team in Madeira.
9. Gil Vicente
Gil Vicente has won the Segunda Liga twice since it was founded in 1924. Gil Vicente is a Portuguese football club from Barcelos and is named after the Playwright Gil Vicente.
10. Portimonense
Portimonense was founded in 1914 in Portimão and recognized as the most popular Portuguese team in the Algarve. Portimonense hosts their home games at Estádio Municipal de Portimão.
11. Paços Ferreira
Aside from Gil Vicente, Paços Ferreira is another Portuguese team to win the Segunda Liga twice. The club was founded around 1930 and now hosts their home games at Estádio da Mata Real which has 9,000 seats.
12. Santa Clara
Santa Clara is the most successful Portuguese soccer team in the Azores. Santa Clara is the only Portuguese tram from the Azores to compete in the UEFA competition. The Portuguese soccer team has qualified for the UEFA Intertoto Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League.
13. Vizela
Vizela was founded in 1939. The team is based in Vizela, Braga, Portugal. In May 2021, Vizela was promoted to the first division for the first time in the club’s history since 1985 after finishing 2nd in the second league.
For their home games, Vizela hosts them at Estádio do Futebol Clube de Vizela.
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14. Rio Ave
Rio Ave is a Portuguese soccer team from Vila do Conde, a district in Porto. The club was founded in 1939 and has won the second division twice since it was established.
15. Vitória SC
Vitória is another Portuguese soccer team based in Guimarães, a district in Braga. The football club is also regarded as asVitória de Guimarães and has finished third in the Primeira Liga for four seasons so far. Moreover, Vitória SC is a strong rival against the big three Portuguese teams.