Alverca’s remarkable rise to Portugal’s top flight, with a little help from Vinícius Júnior

According to The Guardian, Alverca have undergone a remarkable transformation over the last few years, shooting up the Portuguese pyramid. The club have changed owners, rebuilt their squad and brought in Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior as a co-owner.

The sporting director, Fernando Malta, told The Guardian that they want to be “gamechangers”. Their approach has included clever connections with figures such as Eduardo Camavinga and Travis Scott, while smart scouting has also played a key role.

Historically a satellite club for Benfica, Alverca were first promoted to the top flight in 1998 but folded in 2005 after a costly relegation. The club reformed and gradually worked their way back through the regional divisions.

After earning back-to-back promotions, Alverca will line up in the Portuguese top flight in 2025, completing a notable comeback. Readers can find related match highlights on this site.