António Salvador, the outspoken president of Sp. Braga, recently stirred the pot at the Portugal Football Summit. Held at the Cidade do Futebol, Salvador didn’t pull any punches, focusing on Portuguese teams and their journey through Europe. He believes Braga’s growth has been key to the country’s football success, a claim that makes you sit up and listen.
Salvador explained how Braga has carved its own path since he took charge. He points to three main pillars for the club’s rise. First, they built strong financial stability. Second, they surrounded themselves with smart, skilled people across all departments. This brought stability, a clear vision, and a strategy for growth. Third, they focused on building the necessary facilities for the club to expand. This focused approach, Salvador argued, should inspire other clubs to aim for a more competitive league at home.
The conversation naturally turned to money, specifically how TV revenues are shared. Salvador highlighted a big difference between European competitions and the national league. He noted that UEFA centralizes its income, allowing for better distribution. But in Portugal, that’s not the case. He used a sharp example: last year, the English champion, Liverpool, earned 1.6 times more in TV money than the team that finished last. This gap, he said, is meant to boost league competitiveness. He contrasted the huge online following of European giants like Real Madrid (nearly 200 million Instagram followers) with Portugal’s top clubs, FC Porto, Benfica, and Sporting, who each have around two million. Salvador’s point was clear: we can’t expect one system for Europe and another for our local league. He feels a fairer distribution of income among all clubs would make the entire league stronger. He even stated that if it wasn’t for Braga’s efforts over recent years, FC Porto, Benfica, and Sporting wouldn’t all be enjoying the Champions League spotlight today. He believes Braga’s role in this journey has been absolutely vital. He also pointed out how having more Portuguese clubs in the Conference League can free up a direct Europa League spot for Braga.
A Precarious European Standing
Portugal currently ranks high for the 2025/2026 season. It’s the top-scoring nation in Europe so far. But can the country cement its sixth-place position in the overall UEFA rankings? Salvador warned that this depends entirely on future performances. He noted Braga’s strong showing recently, with seven wins and one draw in eight matches. But he’s cautious, suggesting that without continued strong efforts from all clubs, Portugal could easily slip from sixth to seventh, or even eighth, next year.
The season’s early start and the demands of European football are a heavy burden, Salvador added. He knows this firsthand. Braga has been a constant presence in European competitions for two decades, even making it to the Champions League two years ago. This year, after finishing fourth in the league, Braga had to play six qualifying matches just to reach the Europa League group stage. Add that to eight league games, and you’re looking at 16 demanding fixtures. The season kicked off for Braga as early as June 17, all to prepare intensely for Europe. This early, intense preparation comes at a cost, often impacting their league performance. With a new coach and fresh ideas, there wasn’t much time to adapt. The sole focus had to be on reaching the group stage. Salvador called it “inconceivable” that Braga needed six games to get into the Europa League, saying it highlights the broader ranking issues of Portuguese football.
Building a Stronger Foundation
Salvador also brought up the fact that the top four Portuguese clubs earn 90% of the country’s ranking points. He pondered what stops other teams from contributing more. Four years ago, he argued that Portuguese football needed a shake-up. He called for changes to competition structures, aiming for a more balanced league where more teams could compete strongly in Europe. He remembered how Vitória played well in the Conference League, but Santa Clara missed out, costing Portugal valuable ranking points. He stressed that Braga has been earning points for Portugal for 20 years. To secure a better ranking and more income, more strong, capable teams must regularly feature in European competitions.
He believes having more competitive teams in UEFA tournaments boosts visibility for the entire league. It’s good to have five teams in Europe instead of four, but the league needs a different way to share its income. Salvador urged football bodies to create a solid plan for building better facilities for first-division clubs. This would help develop seven, eight, or even nine strong teams that can consistently compete in Europe. Such growth would increase visibility and value for a future centralized TV rights deal, which he says needs to happen immediately, alongside new competitive structures. Four years ago, Braga warned of a potential drop in the rankings. That fall has now happened. Salvador fears that without urgent action, Portugal won’t get back to sixth place. Instead, Belgium could climb past us, and the Netherlands might even drop to eighth. The consequences are severe: instead of three Champions League spots, Portugal could end up with just one direct entry and another in qualifiers. Needing to play six Europa League qualifiers before the league even begins is a huge financial risk. Salvador is proud of Braga’s strong start in the Europa League group stage, with two wins against tough opponents like Feyenoord and Celtic. He’s confident they will have a good run and keep adding points for Portugal.
Investing in the Future: Youth and Women
Salvador concluded by highlighting Braga’s commitment to youth development. The vision was to create top-notch facilities and a major academy, establishing a clear development project. Today, this academy is a huge part of the club’s financial health. Portugal, he noted, doesn’t have the same income streams as other countries from ticket sales, commercial deals, or sponsors. This means all clubs, not just Braga, rely heavily on developing and selling players. Braga’s medium to long-term plan has brought pride to the club, the country, and the city. He promised continuous investment to make the academy even better.
The club’s dedication also extends to women’s football. Braga was one of the first clubs to invest in the women’s game. Their main team has won every professional competition available. They’ve also poured resources into youth development, now boasting around 300 girls in their academy. Last season, the Under-19 and Under-13 teams both won national championships, proving the success of this commitment. This success, Salvador explained, is only possible because they have the right facilities. He believes Braga must keep going. While Braga’s project is linked to its men’s team, Portugal has a long way to go in women’s football, having started late. Only now are clubs beginning to build from the ground up, and more resources are desperately needed.