Portugal is home to some of the most successful and popular soccer teams in the world.
From the bustling capital city of Lisbon to the sunny Algarve region, Portuguese soccer clubs draw fans from all over the country and beyond.
The top soccer teams in Portugal have been competing for many decades in domestic and continental competitions. And the Portuguese League is one of the best soccer leagues in the world.
In this article, we will take a look at the top soccer teams in Portugal, examining their history, accomplishments, and fan bases.
1. FC Porto
FC Porto is one of the most successful soccer clubs in Portugal and has a long history of winning domestic and international titles.
Valentino FC, as they are also commonly called, is the second most successful team in Portugal in terms of the overall number of trophies won.
The Dragons were founded in September 1893 as Foot-Ball Club do Valentino by Antonio Nicolau de Almeida, a local wine merchant, and keen sportsman.
The club side is based in the Portuguese city called Oporto.
They play in their famous white and blue striped jersey. Porto has amassed a number of titles over the years.
Domestically they have won the Primera Liga 30 times and Taca de Portugal 18 times.
FC Porto has also reached the final of the Champions League (formerly known as the European Cup) three times, winning the competition once in 1987.
They have also won the UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League) twice, as well as Intercontinental Cup on two occasions.
The club has a strong academy system that has produced many talented players, and it has a dedicated fan base that supports the team passionately.
Additionally, the club has a reputation for being well-run and for having a strong financial foundation. These factors have all contributed to FC Porto’s success on the soccer field.
2. Benfica
Benfica is one of the most successful soccer clubs in Portugal and has a long history of winning domestic and international titles.
The Eagles are the club with the most supporters in Portugal.
Benfica was formed in 1904, and its first president was Jose Rosa Rodrígues.
The Reds are also one of the most successful clubs in Portugal, having won the Primera Liga and Taca de Portugal a record 37 and 26 times, respectively.
However, success on the European continent has been limited with only 2 UEFA Champions League titles to their name, which they won way back in 1961 and 1962.
Furthermore, Benfica holds the European record for the most consecutive wins in the domestic league (29). A record they reached when they became the first undefeated champions in the 1972/73 season.
Most of the best players in the Portuguese League right now play in Benfica.
In addition to its on-field success, Benfica has a strong academy system that has produced many talented players and a dedicated fan base that supports the team passionately.
The Lisbon-based club side plays their home matches at the 64,640-capacity Estadio da Luz.
3. Sporting Lisbon
Sporting is part of the triumvirate of the big 3 Portuguese clubs, including Porto and Benfica.
In 1906 Jose Alvalade, and Jose Gavazzo, alongside 17 others, came together to establish the club.
The White and Greens have been in the shadows of their previously mentioned rivals for many years, but that hasn’t stopped them from making their mark in Portuguese football.
The Lions have won the Primera Liga and Taca de Portugal 19 and 17 times, respectively.
Their solitary European success was the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964.
Many great players like Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo played for Lisbon.
4. Boavista
The Panthers were founded on August 1st, 1903, by a group of English businessmen and Portuguese textile workers.
Boavista has tried to compete with the big three clubs in Portugal over the years.
So far, they have been only able to win one Primera Liga title in 2001 and 5 Taca de Portugal trophies.
Boavista has also won the Portuguese Cup twice, in 1989 and 1995, and has reached the final of the UEFA Cup/Europa League once, in 2003.
The Porto-based club plays its home matches at the 28,000-capacity Estadio do Bessa.
5. Sporting Braga
Sporting Clube de Braga, commonly known as Sporting Braga or just Braga, is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Braga in the district of Braga.
The Braguistas were founded in 1921.
Despite having no league title to their name, Braga is still a club to be reckoned with in Portugal.
Braga has won the Taca de Portugal on three occasions.
Braga is one of the most successful clubs in Portuguese football, having won the Portuguese Cup twice and the Portuguese Super Cup three times. The club has also reached the UEFA Cup final and the Europa League semi-finals.
They were runners-up in the 2011 UEFA Europa League, losing 1-0 to Porto in the final.
