Julien Laurens questions whether Joao Felix will be able to express himself at Atletico Madrid like he’s done with Benfica.
At just 19 years old and after barely half a season of regular senior football, Joao Felix became the fourth-most expensive footballer in history when Atletico Madrid paid Benfica €126 million for the striker dubbed “the new Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Despite the astronomical fee, rather than viewing the purchase as an enormous punt, the general consensus is that the Spaniards have done well to stave off opposition from Manchester City and other top clubs, with many speculating that the Colchoneros…
The World Cup is over for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after round of 16 defeats to Uruguay and France.
The FC crew break down Uruguay’s ousting of Portugal and how the Edinson Cavani-Luis Suarez partnership flourished on the night.
Edinson Cavani was a class above Portugal, netting a brace to help Uruguay eliminate Ronaldo & Co. and set up a quarterfinal showdown with France.
Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to an end in Sochi tonight as they were beaten by a brilliant brace from Uruguay centre-forward Edinson Cavani. For all the possession that Fernando Santos’ team enjoyed throughout the last-16 match, there was little end product. Pepe’s equaliser gave Portugal hope and the Selecao for a brief period looked the likelier team to progress, but Cavani soon restored Uruguay’s lead and with a record of just one win in four matches, this tournament will be looked back…
Portugal are through to the last 16 of the World Cup, but the FC crew explain how their draw with Iran is evidence of their inability to dominate.
Portugal and Iran played to a draw in a wild finale in Group B which saw Portugal advance…
As Morocco become the first team to exit the World Cup, Andrew Kabuura and Daniel Amokachi break down how Cristiano Ronaldo was able to lead Portugal to a win.
Cristiano Ronaldo became Europe’s top international scorer, but Portugal were lucky to come out on top against a resilient Morocco.
ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop says we’re seeing a different Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal, a player who is becoming the leader his country need.
While Portugal may over rely on Cristiano Ronaldo and Rui Patricio, FC’s Shaka Hislop feels they have the right formula to make a run at the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo became Europe’s top international scorer, but Portugal were lucky to come out on top against a resilient Morocco.
Cristiano Ronaldo has broken Ferenc Puskás’ European goalscoring record in Portugal’s match against Morocco at the 2018 World Cup.
World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo (4′) Portugal 1-0 Morocco
For the second straight match, Portugal rode their luck as an early Cristiano Ronaldo goal proved decisive in a barely deserved win against Morocco.
Only a rock-solid display of goalkeeping by Rui Patricio kept the Africans at bay, and coach Fernando Santos knows his team have to improve vastly if they are to make an impact at this tournament.
Positives
Goalkeeper Patricio continues to prove he has the temperament and the talent for the big occasion, centre-backs Pepe and Jose Fonte looked more…
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning 88th minute free-kick completed his hat trick and secured a vital 3-3 against Spain in the process.
Portugal’s main man Cristiano Ronaldo broke all sorts of records against Spain, and his jaw-dropping free kick was the cherry on top.
The FC crew agree Spain and Portugal’s draw in their opening match at the World Cup proved they are both a class above the rest of Group B.
The guys respond to your tweets about Cristiano Ronaldo following his heroic display for Portugal against Spain in the World Cup.
So much for the cagey opening encounter most were predicting. The all-Iberian clash was a thrilling encounter from start to finish, with Cristiano Ronaldo further embellishing his legacy. Portugal fans hate outsiders calling their team Ronaldo plus 10 others. But in Friday’s 3-3 draw against Spain, Portugal were Ronaldo plus 10 others.
Positives
Ronaldo. Storming performance from start to finish, including the post-match interview when he brushed off personal praise and emphasised the fighting…
With 42-year-old goalkeeper Quim leading the way, tiny Aves stunned mighty Sporting to win their first title.
OEIRAS, Portugal — The final match of the Portuguese season produced a stunning spectacle at the sun-drenched Jamor national stadium on the outskirts of Lisbon as modest Desportivo das Aves, a club from a town of just 9,000 inhabitants, beat giants Sporting to lift the Portuguese Cup for the first time.
An opportunistic brace by Aves striker Alexandre Guedes, a former youth player at Sporting, set up a deserved victory. Fredy Montero’s acrobatic effort in the 85th minute meant Aves had to survive…
While Portugal shocked the world at EURO 2016, Ian Darke and company feel Cristiano Ronaldo’s aging side may not be able to punch above their weight.
The 2018 World Cup is just over a month away and all 32 teams are preparing in earnest for their shot at the trophy in Russia. ESPN FC is previewing every team ahead of the opening game on June 14. Find all 32 teams here.
Who they are
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager: Fernando Santos
Nickname: Selecao
FIFA Rank (as of April 12, 2018): 4
How they qualified
After losing the opening game of UEFA World Cup Qualification Group B against Switzerland in Basel, Portugal won all their remaining…
Goals from Koke and Antoine Griezmann gave Atletico Mardid a comfortable first-leg victory against visitors Sporting CP.
LISBON, Portugal — The word “crisis” and Sporting CP have been largely synonymous in the past decade and a half, but the manner in which the Lisbon club have imploded over the last week is novel, even by the standards of an institution with a strange fondness for shooting itself in the foot.
“I’ve been involved in football since I was 14 years old, I’m 63 now, and I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” said coach Jorge Jesus.
With the club president Bruno de Carvalho in open warfare…
LISBON, Portugal — Sporting CP have been thrown into chaos as president Bruno de Carvalho suspended 19 first-team players after a public
Goals from Koke and Antoine Griezmann gave Atletico Mardid a comfortable first-leg victory against visitors Sporting CP.
LISBON, Portugal — Sporting CP are in chaos as president Bruno de Carvalho said he was suspending 19 first-team players af…