The world’s best football player is Portuguese, and after the Euro 2016 result over France, it can be said with conviction that the world’s best football is played in Portugal.
The best teams I have been privileged to see play live, Fenerbahce (Istanbul) and Ajax (Amsterdam), would be outclassed in 8 out of 10 matches by the FC Porto Dragons, judged from what I saw Friday night.
There is no secret why tiny countries like the Netherlands and Portugal can dominate and revolutionize the game. They don’t grow better athletes, obviously, but their coaching and training — their “systems” — are in a different galaxy.
Porto’s fans, like backers of any great teams, are pissy and aggrieved, qualities often conflated with “knowledgeable.” Shout-out to Boavista. Its fans don’t travel far, but they travel strong and loud. I may come see you.
Estadio Dragao is a handsome stadium with some oddities: no wanding or bag checks, but no beer either. A 16-year-old Lionel Messi made his debut here in 2003 with Barcelona. Two of Porto’s three goals on the night were recorded directly in front of me.
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