Portuguese passion for the Seleção around the globe

Portugal’s long history of emigration has resulted in the Seleção having huge fan bases in every corner of the planet, as exemplified in the effusive celebrations all around the world following the Euro 2016 triumph two years ago.

As part of our campaign to produce The Thirteenth Chapter, a book that chronicles Portugal’s complete tournament history, PortuGOAL gave Seleção fans the chance to express their gratitude/support to Fernando Santos and the national team.

The result is a marvellous set of messages from far and wide that vividly express the passion the Portuguese diaspora feels for its team. This page will be printed and delivered to “O Engenheiro” at FPF headquarters. Read the messages here and feel free to add your own in the comments section below.

 

[The messages were sent either in English or Portuguese. We took the liberty of translating the Portuguese ones as many of our visitors are not bilingual]

 

Good Luck this summer in Russia

Albino Batista, Vancouver, Canada

 


 

Thank you for steering the ship to Glory. You have brought Joy to Portugal and Portuguese people worldwide. May your Good Fortune and Portugal’s continue through this Summer.

Don’t forget to take another Ugly Duckling! Calma no Barco Portugal é Nosso! Força!

Anthony Cabelo, New Jersey, USA

 


 

I was in Portugal in 2004 when we lost the Euro final. As a twelve-year old kid, I couldn't comprehend the magnitude of the loss. Since then I’ve seen the wave of national support that led up to 2004 and I could feel it building in 2016. I watched it with my family in New Jersey and when Eder scored that game winning goal, I ran around the house reverting back to my twelve-year old self. I was never more proud and excited for the team!

Congratulations on leading the team to victory. Força Portugal!

Daniel Henriques, New Jersey, USA

 


 

Dear Mr. Santos, since 2004 I have followed the National Team passionately from Toronto, Canada. Thank you for engineering our team to European glory! My Mother who emigrated from Azores, called it the happiest day of her life, thank you!

Congratulations Champs, now let's go get a star on the jersey!

David Barbosa, Toronto, Canada

 


 

I’ve been in love with this team since 1986. After 2004, I never thought we’d win a major trophy in my lifetime, so the victory in France unleashed so much joy. I was so thrilled to be able to watch it and celebrate with my Father. Obrigado!

David Coelho, Connecticut, USA

 


 

I remember Euro 2016 vividly and fondly, being fortunate enough to follow the Seleção’s progress as part of my job. I’ll always remember what incredible spirit the whole group showed to triumph in France. I’m English, but I will also be a Portugal fan for life, I'll be rooting for you too in Russia!

Jamie Farr, London, UK

 


 

Obrigado vocês. Vocês fizeram história. Uma vitória incrível.

Jeffrey Frias, Fairhaven, Massachusetts, USA

(Thank you. You made history. An incredible victory.)

 


 

Thank you so much for leading our Seleção to victory. Our Seleção showed true grit all the way through to the final and I believe this was only possible with you as coach. The victory and your leadership was very inspirational to me, wife and two sons. Força Portugal!

John Monteiro, Montreal, Canada

 


 

Win!

Joe Laranjeiro, New Jersey, USA

 


 

Embora nascido no Canadá, sempre tive orgulho de ser português. Mas a vitória de Portugal no Euro 2016 elevou-me a um patamar altíssimo! Voce não foi só o engenheiro do Penta no Porto, foi também o engenheiro assim como os jogadores do Europeu. Mil vezes obrigado, VIVA PORTUGAL!! 

Marco Baltazar, Toronto, Canada

(Although I was born in Canada, I’ve always been proud to be Portuguese. But Portugal’s victory at Euro 2016 took me off the scale! You did not only engineer the “Penta” at Porto, you were also the engineer along with the players of the European Championship victory. A thousand times thank you. VIVA PORTUGAL!!)

 


 

Dear Seleção, my wife and I came at a young age as Portuguese immigrants to Canada. For us living abroad the saudades we had for our home was always strong. We cannot thank you enough for the tears of joy you gave and you will always be in our hearts.

Mario, Cintia, Rui, and Eva Mota, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

 


 

Boa sorte Portugal, from your friends born and raised in Canada, but from proud Portuguese heritage, or who came over years ago. Extra love from the Azores, and Graciosa in particular – we’re all looking forward to flying into Cristiano Ronaldo International! #vivaPortugalviaGraciosa Toronto wants to party with you again!

Miguel Bettencourt, Toronto, Canada

 


 

To my beloved Seleção: though I have no Portuguese heritage, I cherished the writing of this incredible story. THIS team is the reason for my lifelong obsession with football. I pray God’s blessings on the entire squad as you seek to win the World Cup in Russia!

Nathan Motz, San Antonio, Texas, USA

 


 

Congratulations on the well-deserved victory. Euro 2016 was one of the greatest moments of my life. Being Portuguese living in Canada, the Seleção is one of the things that reminds us of our heritage, it is something that all Portuguese are proud of, you have all our support. FORÇA!

Nick Amorim, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

 


 

A superb achievement winning Euro 2016. Wishing you and the team every success in the World Cup from all at Wigan Athletic FC.

Nick Farnworth, Wigan, UK

 


 

Caro treinador Santos: Você fez tantos imigrantes portugueses e portugueses americanos de todas as gerações, muito felizes e orgulhosos do estado do futebol português. 

 Paul E. Sousa, New York, USA

(Dear coach Santos, you made so many Portuguese emigrants and Portuguese Americans of all generations so happy and proud of Portuguese football.)

 


 

Obrigado por finalmente cumprir o que o país mereceu por toda a sua paixão, organização e habilidade. Foi um prazer e até chorei como uma criança quando o Ederzito marcou!

Paulo Coelho, Darien, Connecticut, USA

(Thank you for finally fulfilling what the country deserved thanks to all your passion, organisation and skill. It was a pleasure and I even cried like a child when Ederzito scored!)

 


 

Dear Mr. Santos, when you sat at the podium after the Hungary match and declared we’d be back in Paris later, I honestly thought you were drunk. We will probably never meet in life so this might be the only opportunity to tell you I sincerely apologize for not believing you. Muito obrigado!

Sergio Rodrigues, Bolton, Ontario, Canada

 


 

Dear Mr. Santos, like many other supporters of the Seleção, I still feel great joy about the team’s victory in Euro 2016. I will always remember celebrating that fantastic win with my daughters in front of the television. Good luck in future tournaments. Força Portgual!!!

Steve Berkwitz, Springfield, Missouri, USA

 


 

It was wonderful to witness and record how you and your team brilliantly overcame every obstacle to fill Portuguese hearts all over the world with joy and pride. Good luck in Russia and may this book quickly require a sequel to recount further glories!

Tom Kundert, Lisbon, Portugal

 


 

I was with my parents when we watched the Euro 2004 run come to a heart-breaking end. My mother would pass away the next year. So, as I held my own young daughter as we celebrated the final whistle in 2014 the emotions were overwhelming. More than just a game.

Thank you from my family to yours. Forca!

Tony Amaral, Turlock, California, USA

 


 

Sabem que tenham a força dos portugueses, não só em Portugal, mas pelas partes do mundo onde existem as comunidades portuguesas, que agradecem o muito empenho e têm muito orgulho. #ConquistaOSonho

Rui Martins, Toronto, Canada

(You know you have the backing of the Portuguese, not only in Portugal, but all over the world where there are Portuguese communities, who thank your efforts and are proud of you. #ConquerTheDream)

 


 

July 10, 2016 was so much more than just a team winning a trophy. This was a victory for a nation brought up believing second place was the best achievable. On that day Fernando Santos and his team changed the way of thinking and mentality of the Portuguese forever. They gave us back the confidence and belief that anything is possible.

Thank you FS, thank you national team, Portugal will never be the same again!

Toni Correia, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

 


 

Força Portugal

Zachary Goncalves, Ontario, Canada