In recent years, Portugal has seen a surge in its prominence in the football world. With star players like Cristiano Ronaldo, influential coaches like Jose Mourinho, and notable agents like Jorge Mendes, the men's game in Portugal is thriving. However, the women's side of the game is still playing catch-up as it embarks on its journey to full maturity.
The women's domestic league in Portugal, now known as the Campeonato Nacional Feminino, has been in existence since 1985. Initially, teams like Boavista and 1º de Dezembro dominated the league, while traditional powerhouses Benfica and Sporting CP only became forces to reckon with in the past seven years. Sporting reactivated their women's team in the 2016-17 season after a 21-year absence and immediately won the title and cup. Benfica, on the other hand, created a women's team in 2017 and has since won the last three league titles. It's important to note that FC Porto, another major club in the country, does not currently have a women's team.
Despite the challenges faced by women's football in Portugal, the country has started making a name for itself on the global stage. Benfica has made consistent appearances in the UEFA Women's Champions League group stages, and the national team debuted at the Euro 2017 and is set to compete in the 2023 World Cup. These achievements highlight the rise of the Portuguese game and the growing interest in women's football within the country.
To understand the factors contributing to Portugal's success, we turn to football experts Tor
