Sports in Portugal is a great source of recreation and a plethora of sports are played and encouraged which is evident in the country’s participation in various global sporting events. It is impossible to reminiscence through the memories of the bygone football world cup without admiring the magnificent capabilities of the prolific players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo etc. yes, football is the most popular sport played in the country with the renowned Eusebio being worshipped even today as the face synonymous with Portuguese football. Though Portugal has never succeeded in winning the FIFA World Cup ever in the history of the game, it has always come up with impressive performances by winning individual titles in the Euro cup, UEFA Championships and the FIFA youth championship. Apart from the national football team, there are several domestic clubs which are extremely popular in Portugal like the F. C. Porto, Sporting C.P. and S.L. Benfica.

Athletics is another field where Portugal has proved its prowess time and again with its athletes like Vanessa Fernandes, Rui Silva, Naide Gomes etc winning medals in world championships and even in the Olympic Games. Also, the Portuguese rink hockey team is equally efficient winning over ten titles in worldwide competitions as well as establishing their supremacy within the European continent. Volta a Portugal is a popular cycling race which is very prevalent and involves the participation of various professional teams. In the recently held rugby world cup, Portugal made a surprise entry and has succeeded in proving its mettle by performing well and consolidating their position as one of the efficient rugby teams of Europe. In sports like judo, Portugal has given the European champion in the form of Telma Monteiro.

The country of Portugal is surrounded partly by the Atlantic Ocean and so sailing, windsurf, kayaking, surfing, swimming and kitesurf, are some of the sports actively propagated there. Other popular sports include fencing, wrestling, martial arts etc.