From the publisher:
Portugal may be small, but in football terms it is mighty.
A nation with a population size less than London, has in recent years alone given us Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Pepe, Ricardo Quaresma, Rui Patrício, Deco, Rui Costa, Nani, João Moutinho and Luís Figo.
It is a nation that lost a European Championship final in their own backyard to an unfancied outsider. And, it’s a nation that won a European Championship final as an unfancied outsider in the hosts own backyard.
Vitas Carosella documents the long history of the men’s national team, alongside the burgeoning one of the women and João Tibério introduces Portugal’s complicated relationship with the beautiful game. We also speak exclusively to current men’s Head Coach Roberto Martinez, women’s Head Coach Francisco Neto and Portugal Football Federation’s vice-President Humberto Coelho, a man who won 60+ caps for his nation during his own playing days.
On the playing side we chat to Pauleta and João Pinto, plus Jorge Braz and former-player, current TV star Cândido Costa. There are also features on the superstars, Eusébio and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as one that perhaps got away; Vítor Baptista.
Domestic Portuguese football is dominated by ‘The Big Three’; Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto, and all feature here, in addition to a visit to the Lisbon talent factory academies at Benfica and Sporting, as well as taking in their fierce derby.
But Portuguese football is much more than just those three. We have club profiles of Braga and Boavista, and we attend the Liga 3 Final between Clube de Futebol Os Beleneses and União Desportiva de Leiria.
Finally, there are our regulars; what to eat, where to drink and where to stay when you make your own pilgrimage to this beautiful country.
Esperamos que você goste - we hope you enjoy.
---