When you hear Porto, you may remember Jose Mourinho, that 2003-04 Champions League, but Porto has a very rich history that you may not know. Founded back in 1893, Porto is one of the three giants of Primeira Liga alongside Benfica and Sporting CP.
Porto is not only a successful club in Portugal but it has a rich history in European football that you may not know. In the 2023-24 season, Porto will face FC Barcelona, Antwerp FC, and Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage of UCL. Before their journey begins, you should know a few 14 fun facts about Porto.
14 Fun Facts About Porto FC:
- Porto was formed 129 years ago as Foot-Ball Club do Porto.
- Porto’s home ground is Estádio do Dragão. Previously, they were playing at Estádio das Antas but in 2003 they moved to Estadio do Dragao.
- Porto fans call their nickname ‘Dragoes’ or ‘Dragon’ as the dragon is the symbol of the city and the dragon also appears on their crest. The club is also known as Azuis e brancos (Blue and whites) because of the home kit of Porto.
- Porto is the second most decorated team in Portuguese football with 84 trophies domestically just behind Benfica (85) with 30 Portuguese League titles.
- Porto is one of the two teams that won Portuguese football without any defeat. They achieved this record in the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons. In the 2010-11 season, Porto (84 points) achieved the largest-ever difference of points between champion and runner-up with 21 point difference from Benfica (63 points).
- In the context of European Football, Porto is the most successful Portuguese team with seven trophies. They have won the UEFA Champions League twice (1987 and 2004), the Europa League twice (2003 and 2011), the UEFA Super Cup (1987) and the Intercontinental Cup twice (1987 and 2004).
- Porto has the third most appearances in the UEFA Champions League group stage (23) just behind FC Barcelona and Real Madrid (24 each).
- Porto has fierce rivalries with the other two Portuguese giants Benfica and Sporting CP.
- Porto is known for developing youth talents like Paulinho, Fabiano, Danilo, Pepe, Otamendi, Ruben Neves, James Rodriguez, and Ricardo Quaresma.
- The motto of FC Porto is “Como Nós, um de Nós”, which means “Like us, One of Us”.
- The mascot of FC Porto is DRACO.
- The biggest win of Porto was against Sporting CP in 1935-36 with a staggering 10-1 margin.
- The heaviest defeat of Porto also came against Sporting CP in the 1936-37 season when Sporting CP thrashed Porto by 9-1.
- Otavio was the record-breaking departure for the club when Al Nassr signed him with €60.00m.
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