Big Three (Portugal)

Benfica, Estádio da Luz

Sporting, Estádio José Alvalade

Porto, Estádio do Dragão

The Big Three (Portuguese: Os Três Grandes) is the nickname of the three most successful sport clubs in Portugal. The football teams of S.L. Benfica of Lisbon, FC Porto of Porto and Sporting CP of Lisbon have a great rivalry, and are usually the main contenders for the title. They share all but two of the Portuguese Football Championships ever played and generally end up sharing the top three positions. None of them have been relegated from the Primeira Liga either, having been participants in all editions since its first season in 1934–35. The closest any side has come to relegation was Porto's 9th place finish in 1969–70. Benfica's lowest position has been 6th in 2000–01, while Sporting's lowest position has been 7th in 2012–13.

The only two clubs outside the big three to have won the Portuguese league are Belenenses in the 1945-46 season and Boavista in the 2000-01 season.

The three-way rivalry

Benfica vs. Porto

Benfica vs. Sporting

Porto vs. Sporting

Statistics

League placements

Players who played for the three clubs

• Carlos Alhinho (Sporting CP 1972–1975, Porto 1976, Benfica 1976–1977 & 1978–1981)
• Eurico Gomes (Benfica 1975–1979, Sporting CP 1979–1982, Porto 1982–1987)
• Romeu Silva (Benfica 1975–1977, Porto 1979–1983, Sporting CP 1983–1986)
• Paulo Futre (Sporting CP 1983–1984, Porto 1984–1987, Benfica 1993)
• Fernando Mendes (Sporting CP 1985–1989, Benfica 1989–1991 & 1992–1993, Porto 1996–1999)
• Emílio Peixe (Sporting CP 1991–1995 & 1996–1997, Porto 1997–2002, Benfica 2002–2003)
• Derlei (Porto 2002–2005, Benfica 2007, Sporting CP 2007–2009)
• Maniche (Benfica 1995–1996 & 1999–2002, Porto 2002–2005, Sporting CP 2010–2011)

Managers who managed the three clubs

• Fernando Riera (Benfica 1962–1963 & 1962–1963, Porto 1972–1973, Sporting CP 1974–1975)
• Fernando Santos (Porto 1998–2001, Sporting CP 2003–2004, Benfica 2006–2007)
• Jesualdo Ferreira (Benfica 2001–2003, Porto 2006–2010, Sporting CP 2013)

See also

• Big Three (Netherlands)

References