There is something about European nights that throws us back to a world where the most unexpected rivalries are born. FC Porto and Manchester United may be in different football leagues and even in ever distant economic and cultural universes but once in a while they find themselves pitched against each other in midweek clashes that have become the stuff of legends. Twice the Red Devils came out victorious. Twice the Dragões surprised everyone by beating the all-mighty United side.

On the day Porto welcome United to the Estádio do Dragão in the Europa League, Miguel Lourenço Pereira runs us through the history of encounters between the two teams. 

Portuguese football has produced some of the greatest talents in the sport's history, from the golden era of Eusébio to the modern dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo. This article highlights the top 10 legendary players who have left an indelible mark on Portuguese football, each contributing to the nation's global reputation as a football powerhouse. 

Despite Portugal’s reputation as a team of attacking superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Eusébio and Luís Figo, you cannot win games without solid defensive play.

Portugal has been home to some of football’s steadiest and most storied defenders throughout the years, soccer players who are able to anchor their team by reading the game like masters, whilst showing leadership, understanding of tactics and defensive knowhow. 

At 41 years of age, after accumulating 753 club appearances and 141 caps for Portugal, Pepe yesterday announced he is hanging up his boots.

The decision triggered an outpouring of praise from far and wide for the legendary centre-back, who has legitimate claims to be considered the greatest ever defender to wear the Seleção shirt.

Tom Kundert reports on the end of the road in terms of his playing career for an authentic Portuguese hero and the reaction to the news.